The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
Bad MANNERS OF THE CAT BIRD.
Frying Gossip and NJ ecker He 10, He stin
Has Some Merits.

Frying Gossip and NJ ecker He 10, He Stiu
Has Some Merits.
The catbird Is the gossip Of the bird community
His correct namo is not catbird, but black capped
thrush-,his latter, however being seldom used
OF all tn peeping prying tatling scandal mongers
in the feathcred race he is chief His dark grey
coat with the black trimmings runs very little
chance OF being faded by the sunshine. He 10
like an old maid who takes her evening observa-
tions undetected from darkened windows. He
prefers tho shade and shelter Of tangled thckets
hedge rows and bushy trees, Here he turks Just
Near enough the edges to be invisible from with
out, and squalls and ieers at the passerby
To observe his methods 60 and sit down In the
darkest part OF one Of his favorite thckots and
main still: very soon you will hear irt Of wings
close at hand There he st ands on q twig. looks
at you out of ono eye, tries tho other. hops two
twigs nearer droops his wings. rts his TAIL yah"
he says Pleased with the sound Of his own voice
he repeats tho remark accompanied by various
gestures, tho whole performance apparently in
tended TO impress you with tho idea that
YOU needn't think you can come in there and doze
and lie around without being found out, and hav
ing other people told all about II. Continuing the
theme he tells you just how lazy and shiftlcss you
are; also that he has nest in that thiclet with
four green eggs in it and il you value your reputa,
ton you had better clear out also that you are
a queer looking thing anyhow.
Now. all these sayings may be true but no
squalls them out In such an irritating way that
it would try the patience OF saint II you take
his advice and leave. he follows you keeping
out of sight but calling after you until you have
vanished from the neighborhood and still talking
about you for some time after you have disap-
peared. II no human victim is around he takes
advantage of some lesser member Of the animal
kingdom A cat, it must be admitted with
some justice receives fearful calling down. and
even an honest dog cannot sniff around the bushes
without having his character called into question.
The catbird's close affinity TO the hooking bird
is displayed in many ways lie initiates the
robin fairly we'll His rendering Of the croak Of
the crow blackbird is perfect Some notes OF the
blue lay are well done. but the bobolink Is beyond
his register, md when he strives to reproduce the
aria OF that sprightly songster, he makes a most
dismal failure OF il, usually ending with a harsh
sauawk as though his efforts awakened his own
sense Of humor
He is not all gossip and ridicue. however.
Sometimes he forgets his meanncss and toward
twght--thc time Of day that belongs to thrushes-
will perch in a tree and with his memories Of other
bird songs. filled in with thrills and mellow varl
atoms, will give concert of no mean order
In some other respects he is not bad fellow.
To be sure. he talks too much hut he atones for
this fault In other ways. lie kills many worm
and noxous insect in the garden and orchard
lie gives the warning against cats and squirrels
and other enemies that prowl in the hedges and
thicLetS, and far appearance goes, there
IL no neatcr, trimmer better groomed bird around
the yard or garden.