284 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIKDS. 



Wilson and Audubon have both some touching passages, 

 which go so strikingly to illustrate the exceeding amiability 

 and sympathetic tenderness of this most gentle but perse- 

 cuted creature, that I cannot refrain from giving them as a 

 plea on its behalf. 



Wilson says : " In passing through the woods in summer, 

 I have sometimes amused myself with imitating the violent 

 chirping or squeaking of young birds, in order to observe 

 what different species were around 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 disposed to play with his 

 feelings may almost throw him into fits, his emotion and agi- 

 tation are so great at the distressing cries of what he supposes 

 to be his suffering young. 



" Other birds are variously affected, but none show symp- 

 toms of such extreme suffering. 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 exertions. He attempts no offen- 

 sive means, but he bewails, he implores in the most pathetic 

 terms with which nature has supplied him, and with an agony 

 of feeling which is truly affecting. Every feathered neigh- 

 bor within hearing hastens to the place, to learn tLe cause 

 of the alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation and 

 sympathy. But their own powerful parental duties and do- 

 mestic concerns soon oblige each to withdraw. At other 

 seasons, the most perfect imitations have no effect whatever 

 upon him." 



Wilson, also, in a note from Mr. Bartram, gives a fine in- 

 stance of the courage of the cat-bird in defending its nest, 

 and even the very neighborhood thereof. I have witnessed 



