137 



and thorn bushes. The shadow of a bird overhead caused 

 me to glance up just in time to see the long, bright-rufous 

 tail of a Thrasher disappear in a bush a short distance away. 

 Naturally as I passed, I parted the leaves to see what she 

 was doing there. I was scarcely prepared for the "hornet- 

 nest" that I had disturbed. An angry Thrasher confronted 

 me, her bright yellow eyes blazing with wrath, her wings 



V'.y^'tK, 



#*'^.. 

 i-^ 



Fig. 118. ON GUARD. 



and tail wide spread. From her cavernous mouth came a 

 continuous stream of explosive "chirks," angry, grating 

 "Karr-r-r-r-r's" and clearly whistled "wheu's." I had in- 

 terrupted her as she was giving her children their break- 

 fasts and a Catbird or Thrasher meal cannot be disturbed 

 with impunity. 



I stood perfectly still and she scolded until she became 

 tired; she gradually quieted down, her ruffled feathers as- 



