96 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



it were, with delight. Then he ahghts on a tree, and seems to pour out all 

 his affection in his song. And more than this, as if his own powers of 

 expression were too few, he begins to imitate the songs of all his neighbours 

 in the grove. In the clear summer night, when the moon shines on the 

 rustling tops of the forest trees, he will sing like the nightingale, and you 

 might take him for one. 



But his power of imitation is not always used in such a harmless way. 

 He likes to play certain tricks that are rather mischievous. He will amuse 

 himself by uttering a loud scream like a bird of prey. His feathered neigh- 

 bours hear it, and are struck with terror : they think the hawk is close at 

 hand, and hide themselves under the boughs. He will keep them in this 

 state of panic just as long as he pleases. 



When in this sportive humour, he will torment the hunter who has come 

 out with his gun to shoot some birds. 



The mocking-bird sees him from where he is perched on some bough or 

 spray. He begins directly to imitate the notes of most of the birds. The 

 notes are so clear and distinct that the sportsman thinks the songsters are 

 close at hand, and he spends a great deal of time in looking for them. But 

 in reality the birds are a long way off, quite out of reach of the gun. 



In the midst of all these frolics and musical performances, the serious 

 business of life has to be thought of, and the nest has to be built. 



Then the mocking-bird and his partner set to work and choose the most 

 suitable place for it. 



When the choice has been made, the tv/o birds pick up dried twigs, 

 leaves, and grass, and begin to arrange them in the forked branch of a tree. 

 When the nest is finished, five eggs are soon laid in it, and while the mother 

 bird sits upon them he perches close by and sings his sweetest songs.. At the 

 same' time he keeps a sharp look out for insects. Now and then he drops 

 from the branch, picks up one in his bill, and carries it to his mate. 



He is by nature a very brave bird, but at this time nothing can come 

 near the nest without being attacked. Even his natural enemy, the cat, is 

 driven away if she ventures to approach ; and as for his battles with the 

 snake, nothing can exceed them in fierceness. 



The young birds are hatched in about a fortnight, and there are as many 

 as three broods in the course of the summer. There are not so many insects 

 when the last brood comes out, and they are rather stunted compared to the 



