offensive means, but he wails, he implores, in the most pathetic terms with which nature has supplied him, and with an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. At any other season the most perfect imitations have no effect whatever on him.”

The Catbird is a courageous little creature, and in defense of its young it is so bold that it will contrive to drive away any snake that may approach its nest, snakes being its special aversion. His voice is mellow and rich, and is a compound of many of the gentle trills and sweet undulations of our various woodland choristers, delivered with apparent caution, and with all the attention and softness necessary to enable the performer to please the ear of his mate. Each cadence passes on without faltering and you are sure to recognize the song he so sweetly imitates. While they are are all good singers, occasionally there is one which excels all his neighbors, as is frequently the case among canaries.

The Catbird builds in syringa bushes, and other shrubs. In New England he is best known as a garden bird. Mabel Osgood Wright, in “Birdcraft,” says: “I have found it nesting in all sorts of places, from an alder bush, overhanging a lonely brook, to a scrub apple in an open field, never in deep woods, and it is only in its garden home, and in the hedging bushes of an adjoining field, that it develops its best qualities—‘lets itself out,’ so to speak. The Catbirds in the garden are so tame that they will frequently perch on the edge of the hammock in which I am sitting, and when I move they only hop away a few feet with a little flutter. The male is undoubtedly a mocker, when he so desires, but he has an individual and most delightful song, filled with unexpected turns 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.

catbird.
³⁄₅ Life-size.
From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. chicago colortype co.

Amateur Photography.

flash light picture made with “dexter” camera.

MATEUR 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 3¹⁄₂×3¹⁄₂ 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 morocco grain leather, also provided with a brilliant finder for snap shot work. Has a Bausch & Lomb single acromatic lens of wonderful depth and definition and a compound time and instantaneous shutter which is a marvel of ingenuity. A separate button is provided for time and instantaneous work so that a twist of a button or pulling of a lever is not necessary as in most cameras. A tripod socket is also provided so that it can be used for hand or tripod work as desired. All complicated adjustments have been dispensed with so that the instrument can be manipulated with ease by the youngest amateur. Full and explicit instructions are sent with each camera. Send 5c stamps for sample picture and descriptive circulars.

elkhart lake.

SUMMER Excursion Tickets to the resorts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, California, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia; also to Alaska, Japan, China,and all Trans-Pacific Points, are now on sale by the CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY. Full and reliable information can be had by applying to Mr. C. N. SOUTHER, Ticket Agent, 95 Adams Street, Chicago.

This wheel is made especially for the Nature Study Publishing Co., to be used as a premium. It is unique in design, of material the best, of workmanship unexcelled. No other wheel on the market can compare favorably with it for less than $100.00.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR 1897 “BIRD” BICYCLE.

Frame.—Diamond pattern; cold-drawn seamless steel tubing; 1¹⁄₈ inch tubing in the quadrangle with the exception of the head, which is 1¹⁄₄inch. Height, 23, 24, 25 and 26 inches. Rear triangle ³⁄₄ inch tubing in the lower and upright bars. Frame Parts.—Steel drop forgings, strongly reinforced connections. Forks.—Seamless steel fork sides, gracefully curved and mechanically reinforced. Steering Head.—9, 11 and 13 inches long, 1¹⁄₄ inches diameter. Handle Bar.—Cold-drawn, weldless steel tubing, ⁷⁄₈ inch in diameter, ram’s horn, upright or reversible, adapted to two positions. Handles.—Cork or corkaline; black, maroon or bright tips. Wheels.—28 inch, front and rear. Wheel Base.—43 inches. Rims.—Olds or Plymouth. Tires.—Morgan & Wright, Vim, or Hartford. Spokes.—Swaged, Excelsior Needle Co.’s best quality; 28 in front and 32 in rear wheel. Cranks.—Special steel, round and tapered; 6¹⁄₂ inch throw. Pedals.—Brandenburg; others on order. Chain.—¹⁄₄ inch, solid link, with hardened rivet steel centers. Saddle.—Black, attractive and comfortable; our own make. Saddle Post.—Adjustable, style “T.” Tread. —4⁷⁄₈ inches. Sprocket Wheels.—Steel drop forgings, hardened. Gear.—68 regular; other gears furnished if so desired. Bearings.—Made of the best selected high-grade tool steel, carefully ground to a finish after tempering, and thoroughly dust-proof. All cups are screwed into hubs and crank hangers. Hubs.—Large tubular hubs, made from a solid bar of steel. Furnishing.—Tool-bag, wrench, oiler, pump and repair kit. Tool Bags.—In black or tan leather, as may be preferred. Handle bar, hubs, sprocket wheels, cranks, pedals, seat post, spokes, screws, nuts and washers, nickel plated over copper; remainder enameled. Weight.—22 and 24 pounds.

Send for Specifications for Diamond Frame.

OTHER PREMIUMS OFFERED.

“Bird” Wheel No. 2, ’97 model,............................................... Price $60.00, given for 70 subscriptions to “Birds.”
Boys’ “Bird” or Girls’ “Bird,” ’97 model,.................................... Price $45.00, given for 50 subscriptions to “Birds.”
The Monarch ’97 Model Bicycle,......................................... Price $100.00, given for 150 subscriptions to “Birds.”
The Racycle, Narrow Tread, ’97 model,............................... Price $100.00, given for 150 subscriptions to “Birds.”

The “Dexter” Camera. Pictures 3¹⁄₂ × 3¹⁄₂.
$4.00, or eight subscriptions to “Birds.”

Produces portraits, landscapes, groups and flashlights better than many higher priced instruments. It will hold three double plate holder with a capacity of six dry plates. It is covered with black morocco grain leather, and provided with finder. Send for full description. Price $4.00, or eight subscriptions to “Birds.”

Photake Camera. Pictures 2 × 2, portraits, landscapes, flashlight. Price $2.50, or six subscriptions to “Birds.”

The “Lakeside” Tennis Racket. Price $4.00, or nine subscriptions to “Birds.”

The “Greenwood” Tennis Racket. Price $3.30, or seven subscriptions to “Birds.”

The Crown Fountain Pen,...................................................... Price $2.25, given for three subscriptions to “Birds.”
The Stay-Lit Bicycle Lamp,...................................................... Price $2.50, given for five subscriptions to “Birds.”
Youth’s Companion and Reversible Blackboard,..................... Price $3.50, given for eight subscriptions to “Birds.”
Webster’s International Dictionary—sheep—indexed,............ Price $10.75, twenty annual subscriptions to “Birds.”
Oxford Bibles,............................ Prices $3.70 to $10.70, given for seven to twenty annual subscriptions to “Birds.”
The Twentieth Century Library,............................. Price, each $1.00, given for two annual subscriptions to “Birds.”
Tuxedo Edition of Poets,....................................... Price, each $1.00, given for two annual subscriptions to “Birds.”
The Story of the Birds, 12mo., cloth,............................... Price 65c, given for three annual subscriptions to “Birds.”

We call special attention to The Story of the Birds, by James Newton Baskett, M. A., as an interesting book to be read in connection with our magazine, “BIRDS.” It is well written and finely illustrated. Persons interested in Bird Day should have one of these books. We can furnish nearly any book of the Poets or Fiction or School Books as premiums to “BIRDS.” We can furnish almost any article on the market as premiums for subscriptions to “BIRDS,” either fancy or sporting goods, musical instruments, including high-grade pianos, or any book published in this country. We will gladly quote price or number of subscriptions necessary.

NATURE STUDY PUBLISHING CO.

Agents Wanted in every Town and City to represent “BIRDS.” CHICAGO.

We give below a list of publications, especially fine, to be read in connection with our new magazine, and shall be glad to supply them at the price indicated, or as premiums for subscriptions for “Birds.”