Daily Kennebec journal., 1893-08-21
THE TuNEFUL CATBlRD.
A Versatile Singer Who Thinks He Out
classes the Violin,

The most constan: of our feathered sum
mer boarders is the catbird He comes to
us early in April and begins singing as
soon as he has chosen his summer apart
inent. He and his quiet little wife selected
their home in the midst of the English ivy
that covers an old acacia few feet from
my chamber windoW-a pleasant choice for
all parties concerned.
After IA few days, spent principally in the
branches of neighboring cherry tree-for
our friends have but scanty notions regard
ing the difference between mine and thine,
and at cherry time they cast even these few
dim ideas to the wind-another egg is laid
beside its brother, and so it goes on until
there are four small BLUSH eggs safely hid
den underline ivy leaves awaiting the warm
pressure of the mothers breast. Then Nine
Catbird's sport is over
1t seems to me the catbird has never been
sufficiently praised. This is probably part
ly his own fault, and due to a particularly
harsh note which he utters when startled
or augry--a grating 'miau," much like the
mewlng of cat with a case of chronic
eatarrh--and from this dscordant cry the
sweet singer has earned his name But
this is only his warcry or note of warning,
uttered to bid his mate be wary of some
enemy prowling near. The danger past, his
real song begins, and a splendid one it is,
for he belongs to the family Of thrushes
and has their gift of mimicry.
There is little Italian in our home, a
wonderful little body, who. being forever
busy, is constantly in demand and many
times n day the cry is raised for her:
"Cherubinal Cherubina." Our friend in
the ivy has heard our call. 1t pleased him
not a little. Perhaps there was something
about the soft, musical infection of the
Italian name that reminded him Of the
blue skies and tropical vegetation of the
southern land in which he spends half the
year, so he set himself to master its intrica-
cies, aud lol one morning the whistle came
clear and pure.
"Cherubina--C -Cherubina," with the true
Latin infection on the penultimate. So it
is with everything. He is eager TO learn
new songs and struggles manfully to mas
ter the ppings of ali his feathered neigh
bors. To do him justice he succeeds re-
markably well. In fact, there is but one
call that escapes him altogether-the whis
tie of the quail He cannot say Bob
White"
The other day he discovered new field
for his labors. when from within the house
rose the high, pure notes of the violin. He
stopped singing at once, cooked his head
ana listened eagerly. Clearly this was a
new experience to him, and it was evident
that he could not understand how any bird
could sing so long without stopping to take
breath. He himself prefers to whistle a
few bars, stop and look about bit while
he trims his feathers and then begin again.
But this audacious and long winded crea-
ture kept right on with trills, scales and ar
peggios following each other in quick sue
cession, with never breathing space be
tween
At last the gentleman in gray quite lost
patience. Was he, professional singer. to
be rivailed thuss so he dashed ruthlessly
into the performance, turning the solo into
a most remarkable duet, and although he
doubtless violated every known and many
unknown rules Of harmony. the result was
decidedly pleasing. Then suddenly the un-
known son;;ster within doors closed with a
flourish. "Ila. hat' said our gray friend,
Il thought should tire you out eventual
ly." And with last triumphant note he
flew away to recount his exciting expert
ence to his rnate.-kate Field sW ashington.