238 FRIENDS WORTH KNOWING. 



with a fierceness not to be resisted. But when the cat-bird 

 found he was not pursued beyond the shade of the tree, he 

 perched upon a neighboring post, and by hissing, strutting 

 up arid down, and every provoking gesture known to birds, 

 challenged the oriole, who paid no attention to his empty 

 braggadocio. Next Mrs. Oriole did something distasteful 

 to her lord, and received prompt chastisement. A confi- 

 dent kingbird dashed up, and was beautifully whipped in 

 half a minute. Vireos, pewits, warblers were attracted to 

 the scene, but kept at a safe distance. There was no ap- 

 peasing the anxiety of the parents until I left, and probably 

 they spent the whole afternoon in recovering their equa- 

 nimity. 



The study of the expressions and dialects of animals and 

 birds under such circumstances is extremely entertaining 

 and instructive. Though you should happen upon a Balti- 

 more's nest when the female is sitting, and the male is out 

 of sight, the female will sit quietly until the very last mo- 

 ment; and Mr. Kidgway mentions an instance where the 

 female even entered her nest while he was severing it from 

 the branch, and remained there until carried into the house. 

 The young birds, before they can fly, Dr. Brewer says, climb 

 to the edge of the nest, and are liable in sudden tempests 

 to be thrown out. If uninjured they are good climbers, 



