CAT-BIRD, 127 



in April he usually reaches this part of Pennsylvania; and 

 about the beginning of May has already succeeded in building 

 his nest. The place chosen for this purpose is generally a thicket 

 of briars or brambles, a thorn bush, thick vine, or the fork of 

 a small sapling; no great solicitude is shown for concealment; 

 though few birds appear more interested for the safety of their 

 nest and young. The materials are dry leaves and weeds, small 

 twigs and fine dry grass, the inside is lined with the fine black 

 fibrous roots of some plant. The female lays four, sometimes 

 five eggs, of a uniform greenish blue colour, without any spots. 

 They generally raise two, and sometimes three brood in a 

 season. 



In passing through the woods in summer I have sometimes 

 amused myself with imitating the violent chirping or squeak- 

 ing 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 dis- 

 posed 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 va- 

 riously affected; but none show symptoms of such extreme suf- 

 fering. He hurries backwards and forwards, with hanging wings 

 and open mouth, calling out louder and faster, and actually 

 screaming with distress, till he appears hoarse with his exer- 

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

 plores, in the most pathetic terms with which nature has sup- 

 plied him, and with an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. 

 Every feathered neighbour 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 



