FERRUGINOUS THRUSH. 105 



birds have frequent and severe conflicts among themselves, yet when the 

 least alarm is given by an individual, a whole party of them instantly 

 rush forth to assist in chasing off the common enemy. When two nests 

 happen to be placed near each other, the males are seen to fight furiously, 

 and are joined by the females. On such occasions, the males approach 

 each other with much caution, spreading out, and often jerking up, 

 down, or to either side, their long fan-like tail, generally betaking them- 

 selves to the ground, and uttering a note of defiance, until one of them, 

 perceiving some advantage afforded by its position or some other circum- 

 stance, rushes to the charge. The attack once fairly made, the fight 

 seldom ends until one has beaten the other, after which the vanquished 

 rarely attempts to retaliate, and peace is made between the parties. They 

 are fond of bathing and of dusting themselves in the sand of the roads. 

 They bathe in small puddles during the heat of the sun, and then remove 

 to the sandy paths, where they roll themselves, dry their plumage, and 

 free it of insects. When disturbed on these occasions, they merely run 

 off and hide themselves under the nearest bushes, to return as soon as the 

 intruder has retired. 



During the period of incubation, the male is heard from the top of a 

 neighbouring tree, singing for hours at a time. It ascends to this pin- 

 nacle by leaping from branch to branch, and selects several trees for the 

 purpose, none of them more than a hundred yards from the nest. Its 

 song over, it dives towards its favourite thicket, seldom descending by 

 the assistance of the branches. Both male and female sit on the eggs. 

 Their mutual attachment, and their courage in defending their nest, are 

 well known to children living in the country. They resent the intrusion 

 evenof man, assaulting him, and emitting a strong guttural note resem- 

 bling tcliai, tcliai, accompanied by a plaintive wed, and continued until 

 the enemy retires. Should he carry off their treasure, he is sure to be 

 followed a great way, perhaps half a mile, both birds continually crossing 

 his path, and bestowing on him the reproaches he so richly deserves. 



The food of this Thrush, which is also known by the name of French 

 Mocking Bird, consists of insects, worms, berries, and fruits of all sorts. 

 It is fond of figs, and wherever ripe pears are, there also may it be found. 

 In winter, they resort to the berries of the dogwood, the sumach, and 

 holly, and ascend to the tops of the tallest trees in search of grapes. 

 At this season, they are easily caught in traps, and many are exposed for 

 sale in the southern markets, although few of the old birds live long in 



