not
a few, but many--and then

The happy mother of every brood
Will twitter notes of gratitude.

THE WOOD THRUSH.

The Bird of Solitude.

Of all the Thrushes this one is probably the most beautiful. I think the
picture shows it. Look at his mottled neck and breast. Notice his large
bright eye. Those who have studied birds think he is the most
intelligent of them all.

He is the largest of the Thrushes and has more color in his plumage. All
who have heard him agree that he is one of the sweetest singers among
birds.

Unlike the Robin, Catbird, or Brown Thrush, he enjoys being heard and
not seen.

His sweetest song may be heard in the cool of the morning or evening. It
is then that his rich notes, sounding like a flute, are heard from the
deep wood. The weather does not affect his song. Rain or shine, wet or
dry, he sings, and sings, and sings.

During the light of day the Wood Thrush likes to stay in the cool shade
of the woods.

Along toward evening, after sunset, when other birds are settling
themselves for the night, out of the wood you will hear his evening
song.

It begins with a strain that sounds like, "Come with me," and by the
time he finishes you are in love with his song.

The Wood Thrush is very quiet in his habits. So different from the
noisy, restless Catbird.

The only time that he is noisy is when his young are in danger. Then he
is as active as any of them.

A Wood Thrush's nest is very much like a Robin's. It is made of leaves,
rootlets and fine twigs woven together with an inner wall of mud, and
lined with fine rootlets.

The eggs, three to five, are much like the Robin's.

Compare the picture of the Wood Thrush with that of the Robin or Brown
Thrush and see which you think is the prettiest.

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
WOOD THRUSH.
Life-size.]

THE AMERICAN CATBIRD.

The Catbird derives his name from a fancied resemblance of some of his
notes to the mew of the domestic cat. He is a native of America, and is
one of the most familiarly known of our famous songsters. He is a true
thrush, and is one of the most affectionate of our birds. Wilson has
well described his nature, as follows:

"In passing through the woods in summer I have sometimes amused myself
with imitating the violent chirping or clucking of young birds, in order
to observe what different species were round me; for such sounds at such
a seas