This subspecies is as common in its range, and its habits are the same as those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs are identical with those of the last, and like that variety they frequently nest in odd places as do all common birds when they become familiar with civilization. 704. CATBIRD. _Dumetella carolinensis._ Range.--North America, breeding from the Gulf States to the Saskatchewan; rare on the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and southward. This well known mimic is abundant in the temperate portions of its range, frequenting open woods, swamps, hillsides and hedges. Their nests are usually low down in bushes or trees, and are constructed similarly to those of the Mockingbird, of twigs and rootlets; a tangled mass of vines and briers is a favorite place for them to locate their home. Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May or during June, and are from three to five in number and a bright bluish green in color, unmarked. Size .95 × .70. [Illustration 422: Dull greenish blue.] [Illustration: Mockingbird.] [Illustration: Bluish green.] [Illustration: Catbird.] [Illustration: deco.] [Illustration: left hand margin.] Page 421 705. BROWN THRASHER. _Toxostoma rufum_. Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the Gulf States north to Canada. Winters in the Gulf States and southward. This large, handsome songster is found breeding in just such localities as are preferred by the Catbird and the two are often found nesting in the same hedge or thicket. The nests, too, are similar but that of the Thrasher is usually more bulky; besides building in bushes they frequently nest on the ground, lining the hollow under some bush with fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs are laid during May or June; they are whitish or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with reddish brown. Size 1.05 × .80. 706. SENNETT'S THRASHER. _Toxostoma longirostre sennetti._ Range.--Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Very similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the breast blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in the Lower Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species in thick hedges and the eggs are very similar to those of the Brown Thrasher, but in a large series, average more sparingly marked over the whole surface and with a more definite wreath about the large end. Data.--Corpus Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest of twigs and vines in a bush in thicket. Six feet from the ground. 707. CURVE-BILLED THRASHER. _Toxostoma curvirostre curvirostre._ Range.--Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern New Mexico.