Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-01-12
THE 1uNEFUL cATBlRD.
A Versatile Singer Who Thinks He Out.
classes the Violin.


classes the Violin.
The most constaa: of our feathered sum.
ner boarlers 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
nay chamber windoS-a pleasant choice for
all parties concerned.
After few days, spent principally in the
branches Of D neighboring cherry tree-for
our friends have but scanty notions regard
ing the difference between mine and thine,
End 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 tie 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 uttcrs when startled
Or angry-a grating "miau," much like the
mewing of cat with case of chronic
catarrh-and from this discordant cry tbs
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 tkrushes
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 many
times day the cry is raised for her:
"Cherubinal Cherubinal" Our friend in
the ivy has heard our call. 1t pleased him
not 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, and 10! one morning the whistle came
clear and pure.
erubina-Cherubina," with the true
Latin infection on the penultimate. So it
is with everything. He is eager tt 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 well. In fact, there is but one
call that escapes him altogether-the wbi,
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 a 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-
tweeii.
At last the gentleman in gray quite lost
patience. Was he, a professional singer, to
be rivalled thus? So he dashed ruthlessly
into the performance, turning the solo into
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 songster within doors closed with u
flourish. "Ha. hap said our gray friend,
II thought should tire you out eventual
!y." And with last triumphant note he
few away to recount his exciting expert
ence to his mate.-Kate eField'sWashington.