The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-09-25
THE TuNEFuL cArsIRo.
A Versatile Singer who Thinks lie Out
classes the Violin.

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 a few feet from
my chamber window-a pleasant choice for
all parties concerned.
After a few days, spent principally in the
branches of a 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 under the 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 particularly
harsh note which he utters when startled
or angry-a grating "miau," much like the
mewing of a cat with case of chronic
catarrh-and from this discordant cry tn,
sweet singer has earned his name. But
this is only his warcry or note of warning
uttered to bid his mate be wary of som,
enemy providing near. The danger past, hi
real song begins, and splendid one it is
for he belongs to the family of thrushe!
and has their gift Of mimicry.
There is a little Italian in our home,
wonderful little body, who, being forever
busy, is constantly in demand, and man!
times day the cry Is raised for her
"Cherubina! Cherubinav' Our friend il
the ivy has heard our call. 1t pleased hin
not little. Perhaps there was something
about the soft, musical infection of thu
Italian name that reminded him of tn,
blue skies and tropical vegetation of tn
southern land in which he spends half tn
year, so he set himself to master its intrica
cies, and lol one morning the whistle cam
clear and pure.
"Cherubina-Che with the tru
Latin infection on the penultimate. So
is with everything He is eager to lear
new songs and struggles manfully to mas
ter the pipings of all his feathered neigh
bors. To do him Justice he succeeds r,
markably well. In fact, there is but on
call that escapes him altogether-the whis
tie of the quail. He cannot say "Bo
White"
The other day he discovered new fel
for his labors, when from within the hous
rose the high, pure notes of the violin. H
stopped singing at once, cooked his hea
ana listened eagerly. Clearly this was
new experience to him. and it was eviden
that he could not understand how any Dir
could sing so long without stopping to TAX
breath. He himself prefers to whistle
few bars, stop and look about Il bit Will
he trims his feathers and then begin agaii
But this audacious and long winded crei
ture kept right ON with trills, scales and a
peggios following each other in quick su
cession with never a breathing space b
tween
At last the gentleman in gray quite 10
patience. Was he, professional singer,
be rivalled thus? So he dashed ruthless
into the performance, turning the solo in
most remarkable duet, and although
doubtless violated every known and MAJ
unknown rules of harmony, the result W
decidedly pleasing. Then suddenly the u
known songster within doors closed with
flourish. 'Ha, har' said our gray frien
II thought should tire you out eventut
ly." And with last triumphant note
flew away to recount his exciting eXpel
ence to his mate.-kate Field ashingto