Part 23 (1/2)

THE THRUSHES.

This is another large bird family. In it are the bluebird and the friendly robin; their song is very sweet.

The wood thrush is less shy than the veery or hermit thrush. It can be distinguished from the others by its larger size and its ruddy color and the large black spots covering its underparts. The veery's upper parts are cinnamon color; its dress is finely marked and its sides almost white; it inhabits the dense woods and does not frequent the habitation of man as does the wood thrush.

The Hermit Thrush is distinguished by its red tail, which is much brighter in color than its back; it comes early in the spring and lingers long in the autumn.

There are probably few boys who do not know a robin when they see one, nor does the bluebird need to be introduced.

THE BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES.

The Red-winged Blackbird has bright scarlet shoulders; the rest of the feathers are mainly black; they frequent marshes.

Orchard Orioles are to be found in the orchards, the elms, the maples, and other trees of our lawns. This bird is remarkable for the complete change he makes in his plumage, from a dull yellow to a deep orange and black, the bird in the summer presenting an entirely different aspect from that in the winter. He builds his nest very near the end of a tall limb where it will swing in the wind like a hammock.

The Bobolink is another one of this family that changes its clothes each year. It goes North as the bobolink and goes South as the reedbird or ricebird.

The Purple Grackle comes to us early in the spring; its plumage is an iridescent purplish and greenish black.

The Cowbirds build no nests; they deposit their eggs in the nests of smaller birds. These eggs are hatched with the others in the nest and the young birds clamor constantly for food and often starve or crowd out the rightful bird babies.

THE THRASHERS, MOCKING-BIRDS, ETC.,

frequent the borders or the edges of the woods and have considerable singing ability; possibly the best known of this family is the catbird, so called because his most familiar cry is similar to the plaintive ”meow” of the cat. Although very few seem to know it, the catbird is also a fine songster.

The mocking-bird is a great singer, sometimes singing throughout a particularly bright moonlight night as well as all day long. While sitting on its eggs it is an exceedingly courageous bird, attacking without discrimination men, dogs, or any animal that may approach too near the nest. The black snake is the special object of its vengeance.

The snake, which has perhaps just arrived at the vicinity of the nest, and is contemplating a pleasant breakfast on the young or eggs, is violently attacked by the enraged mocking-bird, which, by repeated blows on the head, generally destroys its enemy, and then, mounting on a bush, pours forth a triumphant song of victory. The nest is made generally in a bush or fruit tree, frequently close to houses, as the bird is protected by the inhabitants. The mocking-bird is often kept tame, in which case, so far from its imitative powers showing any decrease, the variety of domestic sounds heard about the house is often very perplexing.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MOCKING-BIRD.]

The thrasher is also a vocalist of some quality; he likes to sit where he can be seen when he is singing, generally high up in the tree.

THE FLYCATCHERS.

The flycatchers are songless; they are found all over the United States.

They remain on their perch, waiting for a pa.s.sing insect; when their prey is within sight they dart after it and then return to their station.

The kingbird is grayish in color and bears a crest which, when raised, reveals reddish feathers. He perches quietly at his station, but is alert to every movement near him, and rarely does a pa.s.sing insect escape his keen eye.

The phoebe is very fond of building its nest under an old bridge. His call is a monotonous, plaintive reiteration. It sounds as though he were saying, ”phoebe”; hence his name.

Very common flycatchers are the Arcadian Flycatcher, the Wood Peewee and the Least Flycatcher: the latter being called the Least Flycatcher on account of its being the smallest in size.

THE SHRIKES.