AVES— MOCKING-BIRD. 



497 



them with a perpetual feast. Winged insects, also, which abound there 

 even in winter, form a favorite part of their food. 



The mocking-bird builds his nest in different places, according to the lati- 

 tude in which he resides. A solitary thorn bush; an almost impenetrable 

 thicket: an orange tree, cedar, or holly bush, are favorite spots. Always 

 ready to defend, but never over anxious to conceal his nest, he very often 

 builds within a small distance of a house; and not unfrequently in a pear 

 or apple tree, rarely higher than six or seven feet from the ground. The 

 nest is composed of dry twigs, weeds, straw, wool, and tow, ingeniously put 

 together, and lined with fine fibrous roots. During the time when the female 

 is sitting, neither cat, dog, animal, or man, can approach the nest without 

 being attacked. But the whole vengeance of the bird is directed against his 

 mortal enemy, the black snake. Whenever this reptile is discovered, the 

 male darts upon it with the rapidity of an arrow, dexterously eluding its 



Lite, and striking it violently and incessantly against the head, where it is 

 very vulnerable. The snake soon becomes sensible of his danger, and seeks 

 to escape ; but the intrepid bird redoubles his exertions, and as the snake's 

 strength begins to flag, he seizes and lifts it up from the ground, beating it 

 with his wings, and when the business is completed, he returns to his nest, 

 mounts the summit of the bush, and pours out a torrent of song in token of 

 victory. 



The plumage of the mocking-bird has nothing gaudy or brilliant in it : 

 but that which so strongly recommends him is his full, strong, and musical 

 63 42* 



