CAT-BIRD. 39 



In passing through the woods in summer I have sometimes amused 

 myself with imitating the violent chirping or squeaking of young birds, 

 in order to observe what different species were around me, for such 

 sounds, at such a season in the woods, are no less alarming to the 

 feathered tenants of the bushes than the cry of fire or murder in the 

 streets, is to the inhabitants of a large and populous city. On such 

 occasions of alarm and consternation, the Cat-bird is the first to make 

 his appearance, not singly, but sometimes half a dozen at a time, flying 

 from different quarters to the spot. At this time those who are disposed 

 to play with his feelings may almost throw him into fits, his emotion and 

 agitation are so great, at the distressful cries of what he supposes to be 

 his suffering young. Other birds are variously affected ; but none show 

 symptoms of such extreme suffering. He hurries backwards and for- 

 wards, with hanging wings and open mouth, calling out louder and 

 faster, and actually screaming with distress, till he appears hoarse with 

 his exertions. He attempts no offensive means ; but he bewails, he im- 

 plores, in the most pathetic terms with which nature has supplied him, 

 and with an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. Every feathered 

 neighbor within hearing hastens to the place to learn the cause of the 

 alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation and sympathy. But 

 their own powerful parental duties and domestic concerns soon oblige 

 each to withdraw. At any other season, the most perfect imitations 

 have no effect whatever on him. 



The Cat-bird will not easily desert its nest. I took two eggs from 

 one which was sitting, and in their place put two of the Brown Thrush, 

 or Thrasher ; and took my stand at a convenient distance to see how 

 she would behave. In a minute or two the male made his approaches, 

 stooped down and looked earnestly at the strange eggs ; then flew off to 

 his mate, who was not far distant, with whom he seemed to have some 

 conversation, and instantly returning, with the greatest gentleness took 

 out both the Thrasher's eggs, first one and then the other, carried them 

 singly about thirty yards, and dropped them among the bushes. I then 

 returned the two eggs I had taken, and soon after the female resumed her 

 place on the nest as before. 



From the nest of another Cat-bird I took two half fledged young, 

 and placed them in that of another which was sitting on five eggs. She 

 soon turned them both out. The place where the nest was, not being 

 far from the ground, they were little injured, and the male observing 

 their helpless situation, began to feed them with great assiduity and 

 tenderness. 



I removed the nest of a Cat-bird, w^hich contained four eggs, nearly 

 hatched, from a fox-grape vine, and fixed it firmly and carefully in a 

 thicket of briars close by, without injuring its contents. In less than 

 half an hour I returned, and found it again occupied by the female 



