92 The Cat Bird. 



of the nest, the cast off skins of snakes, more rarely bits of 

 newspapers, wood shavings, strings, and bass-mat strips. The 

 eggs are four or five, of a bright and deep emerald green, and 

 without spots. According to the time of their arrival they 

 raise two or even three broods in the season. The cat bird 

 is not easily induced to forsake its nest. Wilson removed 

 one containing four eggs, nearly hatched, from a grape vine 

 into a thicket of briars close by, which was soon occupied by 

 the female, as if nothing had happened to it. Other birds' 

 eggs, those of the thrasher, and young of the same species, 

 were instantly turned out of the nest in which they had been 

 placed. Yet the male, divesting himself of selfish jealousy, 

 observing the distress and helplessness of the young thus dis- 

 lodged by his mate, began to feed them as his own. Their 

 sagacity is therefore superior to that of the ordinary thrushes, 

 as the Turdus JVilsonii is even one of the duped nurses oc- 

 casionally employed by the cow bird. 



The food of the cat bird is insects and worms, particularly 

 beetles, and various garden fruits ; feeding its young often 

 on cherries, and other kinds of fruits. Sometimes they are 

 observed to attack snakes when they approach the vicinity of 

 their brood, and commonly succeed in driving off the enemy; 

 when bitten, however, by the poisonous kinds, it is probable, 

 as related, that ihey may act in such a manner, as to appear 

 laboring under the influence of fascination. The cat bird, 

 when raised from the nest, is easily domesticated, becomes a 

 very amusing inmate, and seems attached to his cage, as to a 

 dwelling or place of security. About dawn of day, if at large, 

 he flirts about with affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his tail 

 and wings with the noise almost of a whip, and stretching 

 forth his head, opens his mouth and mews. Sometimes this 

 curious cry is so gutteral as to be uttered without opening 

 the bill. He often also gives a squeal as he flies from one 

 place to another; and is very tame, though pugnacious to all, 

 other birds which approach him for injury. When wanting 

 food, he stirs round with great uneasiness, jerks every thing 

 about within his reach, and utters the feeble cry of the caged 

 mocking bird. A very amusing individual, which I now de- 

 scribe, began his vocal powers by imitating the sweet and low 

 warble of the song sparrow, as given in the autumn ; and, 

 from his love of imitation on other occasions, I am inclined 

 to believe that he possesses no original note of his own, but 

 acquires and modulates the songs of other birds. Like the 

 robin, he is exceedingly fond of washing, and dashes about in 

 the water till every feather appears drenched ; he also, at 



