312 THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



and malice. The thrush, the mocking-bird, and 

 many others, although inferior to him in strength, 

 repel him 

 from their 

 nests; but he 

 waits their 

 absence, and 

 creeps silent- 

 ly to their 

 retreat, and 



then devours the eggs or 

 young without compunction. 

 This bird has been seen 

 going its round from one nest 

 to another every day, and 

 sucking the newly-laid eggs 

 of the different birds in the "-' 

 neighbourhood, with as much regularity and com- 

 posure as a physician would call upon his patients! 

 Yet in returning from its predatory tour to its 

 own home, it has found a just retribution in the 

 snake which has seized upon its partner and her 

 eggs, and destroyed both. Audubon makes the 

 droll remark ; " I have thought more than once 

 upon such occasions, that, like all great culprits, 



