80 SETTLING THE THRUSH. 



of which, about a foot in length, rested perhaps 

 four inches from the cage, and level with the 

 door. Upon this round the mocking-bird exe- 

 cuted what has been called his war dance, shak- 

 ing himself, shuffling (or moving along without 

 raising the feet), and agitating his feathers in 

 such a way that they rustled like stiff new silk. 

 After a few minutes of this performance he flew 

 away, returning presently to repeat it. This 

 he did again and again, and his motive was 

 plain. "You've domineered long enough," 

 his manner said : " now come out here, and 

 we '11 settle this matter at once." The bird in 

 the cage, though plainly surprised at this 

 sudden exhibition of spirit, received it like a 

 thrush in silent dignity. He paid no atten- 

 tion to the demonstration further than to keep 

 his eye upon the enemy, unless he appeared to 

 think of entering the door, when he turned his 

 open bill in that direction. A long time hav- 

 ing passed in these manoeuvres, the thrush, ap- 

 parently tired of waiting for the belligerent to 

 vacate his front doorstep, retired to the upper 

 perch, and the mocking-bird immediately en- 

 tered below, took his stand by the food-dish, 

 and defied the owner, who came with open 

 beak to dispute him, but after a few moments' 

 silent protest returned to the high perch, leav- 

 ing the intruder to eat and drink as he chose. 



