'TWIXT COLD AND HEAT. 79 



ing from behind, alighted upon the top of the picture, 

 notwithstanding the warnings of the other birds. Chanc- 

 ing to look down, it saw the cat, and with a scream gave 

 a double backward somersault and left. This, however, 

 seemed to open the eyes of the other birds, and they 

 gradually became accustomed to its presence, as though 

 they believed the animal to be dead. In no cases were 

 the nests abandoned. 



"When the same chromo, although now rather dilapi- 

 dated, was placed near a wren box, the occupants took 

 matters very coolly, and after finding the cat showed no 

 disposition to leave, determined to drive it off. With 

 impetuous fury they assaulted it, and struck it about the 

 ears and eyes several times. Of course, this experience 

 soon told the quick-witted wrens that the cat was harm- 

 less, if a cat at all, and they paid no further attention to 

 it. I found this to be true of both Carolina and com- 

 mon house wrens, in every case. Taking the battered 

 picture to the muddy meadows, the marsh-wrens merely 

 glanced at it, as they would at any unusual object, and 

 passed by. They, at least, are not troubled by cats in 

 the marshes. 



A small mirror placed near a nest produced conflict- 

 ing emotions. The bird was usually indisposed to leave 

 her nest, and yet was much annoyed by the apparent in- 

 truder, I do not think in any case the bird learned to 

 recognize it as but a very vivid shadow of itself. Spar- 

 rows and warblers were rendered timid, and expressed 

 their alarm so frequently as to keep their mates near 

 by, but in no instance was the supposed intruder as- 

 saulted. As I expected, the case was very different 



