The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-08-21
The ruNarul cArslap. ~
A Versatile Singer Who Thinks No Out
classes the Violin. an.

classes the Violin.
The most constant 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
ment. 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 Windows pleasant choice for
all parties concerned.
| After few days, spent principally In the
branches OF a neighboring cherry tyee-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 1t goes on until
there are four small blush eggs safely hid.
den under the ivy leaves awaiting the warm
pressure of the mothers breast, Then Mime
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 angry-a grating ''miau," much like the
mewing of cat with n case of chronic
catarrh-and from this discordant 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 somC
enemy prowling near The danger past, his
/ real song begins, and 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, .
wonderful sttle body, who, being forever
busy, is constantly in demand, and many
times a day the cry is raised for her
J. "Cherubinal Cherubinap' Our friend il
!, the ivy has heard our call. 1t pleased hin
not II little. Perhaps there was something
about the soft, musical infection of The
!, Italian name that reminded him of tn,
| blue skies and tropical vegetation of tn,
southern land in which he spends half the
j, year. SO he set himself to master its intrica
cies, and lol one morning the whistle cam,
! clear and pure.
4 "Cherubina-Chcrub with the tru,
. Latin infection on the penultimate. So Il
is with everything He is eager to learn
, new songs and struggles manfully to mas
ter the pipings OF all his feathered neigh
bors. To do him justice he succeeds re
markably we'll. In fact, there is but ont
call that escapes him altogether-the wbis
b tie of the quail. lie cannot say BIOL
d White"
= The other day he discovered a new fell
' for his iabors, when from within the hous
rose the high, pure notes of the violin. II,
stopped singing ut once, cooked his heal
and listened eagerly. Clearly this was
i new experience to him, and it was eviden
q that lie could not understand how any Dir,
\ could sing so long without stopping to TAX
: breath. lie himself prefers TO whistle
Few bars, stop and look about bit Will
he trims his feathers and then begin again
But this audacious and long windcd crea
tnre kept right on with trills, scales and M
peggios following each other in quick sue
y cession, with never breathing space be
5 tween.
l. AT last the gentleman in gray quite los
! patience. Was he, Il professional singer, {
!, he rivalled thus? So he dashed ruthlessl
into the performance, turning the solo int
N a most remarkable duet, and although Il
Q doubtless violated every known and man
/. unknown rules of harmony, the result wa
I decidedly pleasing, Then suddenly the vi
II known songster within doors closed with
flourish. "lla, hal" said our gray friend
~ thought should tire you out eventua
. ly." And with last triumphant note h
!, flew away to recount his exciting exper
N euce to his mute.-Kate Field 'sWashingtoI