CHAPTER XI.
MOCKERS AND SCOLDERS THE SAGE THRASHER "I thought that more tree-trunk birds, such as Woodpeckers, would come next," said Rap.
"We are still taking the Birds that Sing," said the Doctor.

"Woodpeckers have no real song; they belong to the Birds that Croak and Call; but the Nuthatch, Chickadee, and Brown Creeper each has a little tune of its own, as you have heard." "Of course--I don't see why I said that, for I know Woodpeckers only hammer and croak," said Rap.
"The family of Mockers, Thrashers, and Wrens is one of the most interesting that we shall meet in our Birdland excursions, for all its members are bright intelligent birds and great talkers.

They have something to say for themselves and say it so cleverly that we do not care if their feathers are of sober grays and browns.

This family should be very proud of itself, but it does not show any false pride or exclusiveness; its different members are as sociable and friendly as possible, building their nests in bushes not far from the ground, and taking every occasion to chat confidentially with House People.

Some of these friendly birds are the Sage Thrasher, the Mockingbird, the Catbird, the Brown Thrasher, the Rock Wren, the House Wren, and the Long-billed Marsh Wren, the last being the only really shy bird among the seven I am going to tell you about." [Illustration: Sage Thrasher.] "Do Wrens and Mockingbirds belong to the same family ?" asked Nat.