96 MOCKING-BIRD. 



within a small distance of the house; and not unfrequently in a 

 pear or apple tree; rarely at a greater height than six or seven 

 feet from the ground. The nest varies a little with different in- 

 dividuals, according to the conveniency of collecting suitable ma- 

 terials. A very complete one is now lying before me, and is 

 composed of the following substances. First a quantity of dry 

 twigs and sticks, then withered tops of weeds of the preceding 

 year, intermixed with fine straws, hay, pieces of wool and tow; 

 and lastly, a thick layer of fine fibrous roots, of a light brown 

 colour, lines the whole. The eggs, one of which is represented 

 at fig. 2, are four, sometimes five, of a cinereous blue, marked 

 with large blotches of brown. The female sits fourteen days; 

 and generally produces two brood in the season, unless robbed 

 of her eggs, in which case she will even build and lay the third 

 time. She is, however, extremely jealous of her nest, and very 

 apt to forsake it if much disturbed. It is even asserted by some 

 of our bird dealers, that the old ones will actually destroy the 

 eggs, and poison the young, if either the one or the other have 

 been handled. But I cannot give credit to this unnatural report. 

 I know from my own experience, at least, that it is not always 

 their practice; neither have I ever witnessed a case of the kind 

 above mentioned. During the period of incubation neither cat, 

 dog, animal or man, can approach the nest without being at- 

 tacked. The cats, in particular, are persecuted whenever they 

 make their appearance, till obliged to retreat. But his whole 

 vengeance is most particularly directed against that mortal ene- 

 my of his eggs and young, the black snake. Whenever the in- 

 sidious approaches of this reptile are discovered, the male darts 

 upon it with the rapidity of an arrow, dexterously eluding its 

 bite, and striking it violently and incessantly about the head, 

 where it is very vulnerable. The snake soon becomes sensible 

 of its danger, and seeks to escape; but the intrepid defender of 

 his young redoubles his exertions, and, unlesss his antagonist 

 be of great magnitude, often succeeds in destroying him. All 

 its pretended powers of fascination avail it nothing against the 

 vengeance of this noble bird. As the snake's strength begins to 





