72 INSEBSSORES. 
upon the ground so resembling an oven as to have 
given it with some the title of Oven Bird. It also 
is very abundant in the woods during summer, and 
has a loud, shrill voice, which can hardly be called 
musical. 
Another favorite member of this family is the 
Brown Thrush or Thrasher. Its song is very clear 
and melodious, resembling more that of the Wood 
Thrush, but not attended with that peculiar softness 
of expression which renders the latter a songster of 
superior merit. 
The Thrushes appear to be gifted with consider- 
able intelligence, and display much sagacity in pro- 
tecting themselves and their young from danger. 
The Mocking Bird is often annoyed by the predatory 
visits of the Rattlesnake, against which he battles 
with great ferocity, avoiding dexterously his venom- 
ous bite, and at the same time pecking at his eyes 
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