The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-28
ORNITHOLOGY.

"as s"'u In the newspapers anu iS:.odcas last summer
that people seemed have forgotten that there was
any other sweet singing and interesting American
bird, has again got his into the papers Lust
year, all manner of songs, Tippecanoe, sentimental
put in his mouth, and he made to bear all the
responsibility of them. He is a beautiful bird and
We have heard him sing sweetly even when Gagged
and we glad to any indication in these times
of harsh and soul killing and mistaken utiltarian
ism" Of that correct taste which seeks enjoyment in
the limitless works of nature--who
Hangs us some bounty on every tree
And blesses US in the sweet airn
We give the following biography of the Cat bird
large numbers Of which, with hundreds of other birds
abound in the wo ODDS here and on the beautiful trees
ofthe grounds around the Capitol. We take it from
Audubons magnificent work:
THE CAT-BIRD-TURDUs FELIvox.
Some individuals of this species spend the winter in
the southern portion Of East Florida but the greater
number retire beyond the limits of the United States
about the middle Of October. They are very rarely
seen in the State OF Louisiana nor have known any
to breed in that part of the country. They pass in
abundance through Georgia and the CaroInas early in
September, feeding the berries of the sweet gum
those of the poke and sumach the seeds Of grasses SC
On their return in the spring they reach the neigh
borhood OF Charleston about the 10th of March, when
but heard sing or are found to breed there
They are abundant during the summer in the whole of
the Western Country, and are plentfully dispersed
from Virginia TO the middle portions of Massachu
sets, beyond which, proceeding eastward, none
They are in fact, unknown in the State of Maine as
well as in the British provinces.
Their migration Is performed mostly during night
when they slowly from bush TO BUSH scarcely
ever extending their flight beyond the breadth Of the
rivers which they meet with In place where no,
he in nn aft in ba
months ofApr or May, considerable number may
be found on the following morning They seem to
give preference to the middle states during the
mer season. Pc nnsylvania is particularly favored BY
them; and it would be difficult TO walk through an
orchard or garden, along field, or the border ola
wood without being saluled by their plainiive notes.
They breed in those places with much carlessness,
placing their nests in any bush, tree briar that
seems adapted for the purpose and seeming TO think
It unnecessary to conceal them from man. who indeed
ought to protect such amiable birds, but who
times destroy them in revenge for the iing depreda
tons which they commit the fruit of the garden.
No sooner has the Cat Bird made its appearance in
the country OF its choice than its song Is heard from
the topmost branches of the around in the dawn
OF the morning. The song is composed Of many of
the genter trs and sweeer modulations of our wood
land chorsters delivered with apparent caution and
with all the attention and softness necessary TO en-
able the performer please the ear of his mate Each
cadence passes without fitering and if you are
acquainted with the song of the bird he sweelly
you sure 10 recognise the manner OF the
different species. When the warmth of his loving
bosom engages him to make choice of the notes of our
best songsers he brings forth sounds mellow and as
powerful as those Of the Thrasher and Mocking Bird
These medleys when heard in the calm and balmy
hours OF retiring day, always to possess double
power and he must have dull ear indeed and little
relish for the simple melodies of nature who can lis
ten to them without delight
The manners ofthis species lively and border on
the groesque it extremely sensveand will follow an
IN con hIp eta
hops from tree to another its tail now rked
and thrown from side 10 side its wings droop and its
breast deeply inclined. On such occasions il would
fan peck your hand but these exhibitions OF rrita
ed feelings seldom take place after the young sui
GENTLY grown TO be able to take of themselves
In some instances, have known this bird to recog
Mise at its friend from its foe and to suffer the for
mer even to handle the treasure deposited in its nest,
with all the marked assurance Of the knowledge pos
sessed of its safety when the contrary the latter
had TO bear all its anger. The sight of dog seldom
irrtates IT, while single glance at the willy cat excites
the most painful paroxysm of alarm. It never negects
To attack snake with fury, although it often happens
that il becomes the sufferer for its temerty.
The vulgar name which this species bears, has pro-
badly rendered 1t more conspicuous than il would
otherwise be, and has also served TO bring into
degree fcontempt with persons not the best judges of
the benefits il confers the husbandman in the early
spring, when, with industrious care it ceanses his
fruit of thousands of larva and insects which
in single day would destroy, while yet in the bud far
season. But alas, selfshncss, the usual attendant
of ignorance, not only heaps maledicons the ha rm
less bird but dooms it to destruction. The boys pelt
the poor Thrush with stones and destroy It's nest where
ever opportunity presents; the farmer shoots il
to save pear and the gardener a raspberry
some hate it without Knowing why; in aword, except
ing the poor, nearly cxtirpaed crow, know no bird
generally despsed and tormented than this
charming songster
The attachment which the Cat Bird shows towards
its eggs young is affecting. Ii possesses hui
manlty, rather generosity and gentleness worthy
of being elevated in the scale of nature. 1t has
been known to nurse, feed and raise the young of
other species, for which could be afforded in
their nests. II will sit on its eggs after the nest has
been displaced, even after it has been carried f;om
one bush TO another. Like all other Thrushes,
this is very fond of bathing and rolling itself in the
dust and sand OF the roads felds-scveral fire.
guenlly seen together on the borders of small ponds
clear rivulets, immersed up TO their body spashing
the water about them until completely wclted then
ascending to the tops Of the bushes they
plume themselves with apparent care notwithstanding
which, they infested with minute species OF
louise TO be destroyed by it, This is also the case
with the Mocking Bird and the Fcrruginous Thrush,
many individuals of which have known to be killed
by these parasitic animals Although the Cat Bird is
pleasant sunpster il is seldom kept in cage, and
believe that all attempts at breeding in aviares have
failed Its food consists of fruits and berries of all
descriptions worms, and wasps, and various other in
scots. Its flight is low, often RAPID, and somewhat
proracted, generally performed by gliding, accompa-
MED with sudden jerks of the tail 1t moves on the
ground with aeriness and grace not unfrcqucnty GO
ing before person the whole length of the garden
walk.
The nest Of the Cat Bird is large, composed exter.
nay of diy twgs and briars mixed with withered
leaves and grass, and lined with black brous roots,
neatly arranged in circular form.
The eggs from four to six, of pale glossy geen-
ish blue, without spot. Two and sometimes three
broods raised in a season.
The young attain their full plumage before they de-
part in Autumn.
The N. T. Evening Sipnai has been united with