MOCKING-BIRD. 147 



this frame supports and encloses a rather neat cup, 

 composed entirely of fine fibrous roots. Another 

 has the frame almost wholly of rags, from canvas to 

 lace ; and the cup of thatch-threads, and horse-hair. 

 Three eggs are commonly laid, measuring -JJ by -^ 

 inch, of a pale bluish-green, dashed with irregular 

 blotches of pale reddish-brown: they are not per- 

 fectly regular in form, their oval having more or 

 less tendency to a cylindrical shape, rather abruptly 

 flattened at the ends. When young are in posses- 

 sion, their presence is no secret ; for an unpleasant 

 sound, half hissing, half whistling, is all day long 

 issuing from their unfledged throats; delightful 

 efforts, I dare say, to the fond parents. At this 

 time the old birds are watchful and courageous. If 

 an intruding boy or naturalist approaches their 

 family, they hop from twig to twig, looking on 

 with outstretched neck, in mute but evident solici- 

 tude ; but any winged visitant, though ever so 

 unconscious of evil intent, and though ever so 

 large, is driven away with fearless pertinacity. The 

 saucy Ani and Tinkling instantly yield the sacred 

 neighbourhood, the brave Mocking-bird pursuing 

 a group of three or four, even to several hundred 

 yards' distance ; and even the John-crow, if he sail 

 near the tree, is instantly attacked and driven from 

 the scene. But the hogs are the creatures that 

 give him the most annoyance. They are ordinarily 

 fed upon the inferior oranges, the fruit being 

 shaken down to them in the evenings ; hence they 

 acquire the habit of resorting to the orange-trees, to 

 wait for a lucky windfall. The Mocking-bird feel- 



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