s and buoyant melody."

THE CATBIRD.

What do you think of this nest of eggs? What do you suppose Mrs.
Catbird's thoughts are as she looks at them so tenderly? Don't you think
she was very kind to let me take the nest out of the hedge where I found
it, so you could see the pretty greenish blue eggs? I shall place it
back where I got it. Catbirds usually build their nests in hedges,
briars, or bushes, so they are never very high from the ground.

Did you ever hear the Catbird sing? He is one of the sweetest singers
and his song is something like his cousin's, the Brown Thrush, only not
so loud.

He can imitate the songs of other birds and the sounds of many animals.
He can _mew_ like a cat, and it is for this reason that he is called
"Catbird." His sweetest song, though, is soft and mellow and is sung at
just such times as this--when thinking of the nest, the eggs, or the
young.

The Catbird is a good neighbor among birds. If any other bird is in
trouble of any sort, he will do all he can to relieve it. He will even
feed and care for little birds whose parents have left them. Don't you
think he ought to have a prettier name? Now remember, the Catbird is a
Thrush. I want you to keep track of all the Thrushes as they appear in
"BIRDS." I shall try to show you a Thrush each month.

Next month you shall see the sweetest singer of American birds. He, too,
is a Thrush. I wonder if you know what bird I mean. Ask your mamma to
buy you a book called "Bird Ways." It was written by a lady who spent
years watching and studying birds. She tells so many cute things about
the Catbird.

[Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences.
CATBIRD.
3/5 Life-size.
CHICAGO COLORTYPE CO.]

* * * * *

#Amateur Photography.#

[Illustration: FLASH LIGHT PICTURE MADE WITH "DEXTER" CAMERA.]

Amateur Photography is the most delightful pastime one can indulge in.
Aside from the pleasure and amusement derived, it cultivates the
artistic taste, the love of nature, is a source of instruction, and may
be made to serve many useful purposes. The "Dexter" is small, neat and
compact. Makes pictures 3-1/2x3-1/2 inches square and will produce
portraits, landscapes, groups, interiors or flashlights equally as well
as many higher priced cameras. Will carry three double plate holders
with a capacity of six dry plates. Each camera is covered with black
mo