58 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



seemed to cling to the coveted nest, for an accident, 

 which might have ended fatally to the cat-bird, befel 

 her one day. When about to leave the nest her legs 

 became entangled in some loose strings which she had 

 woven among the other materials, and, unable to free 

 herself, she fell down head foremost into the midst of a 

 rosebush, very stout and spiny, out of which she could 

 not extricate herself, but lay fluttering and uttering the 

 most doleful cries, more like the yells of an enraged cat 

 than a bird. 



The unusual outcry brought me to the rescue, and at 

 my near approach she ceased her cries, and I truly 

 believe the poor captive looked to me for help. I quickly 

 perceived the cause of her disquiet, and with my scissors- 

 soon set her free. With a joyful cry she flew away, and, 

 what seemed to me a remarkable proof of sagacity in 

 the bird, she forsook the nest, never again venturing 

 back to it, though it contained the five blue eggs. She 

 evidently felt it better to forsake them unhatched than 

 run any risk of danger to herself or her little brood. 

 This, at any rate, was my own conclusion on the subject, 

 though it may not have been that of the cat-bird. 



While sitting on the eggs, and while the young ones 

 are yet unfledged and helpless, the mother-bird becomes 

 bold and excitable. If anyone approaches too near to 

 her nursery, she flies round the nest with outspread 

 wings uttering strange angry cries, as if resenting the 

 impertinent attempt to pry into her family affairs, and 



