30 HOME STUDIES IN NATURE. 



them or had committed suicide by taking strychnine; 

 at all events, they no longer prowled about the grounds, 

 and the birds enjoyed quiet and peace. 



My favorite bird was monarch of the shrubbery, ex- 

 cept when the robins came for a bath, when, with a 

 very ill grace, he took the place of a subordinate. 

 Upon one occasion I witnessed a very amusing scene. 

 I had just supplied the fresh water, and the bird was 

 enjoying it, when a robin came flitting in, followed by 

 a young speckle-breast. The catbird, without a single 

 protest, left the water. Of course he was afraid of the 

 robin, or he would not have left so promptly ; but after 

 he had gone, he manifested the greatest anger — he flew 

 to a shrub just above them, and screamed with all his 

 power, dropping his wings and looking very fierce and 

 hostile — to all of which the robins paid no attention. 

 Then he came towards me and back again, evidently 

 asking me to drive them away ; but I would not inter- 

 fere. After the robins were satisfied, they left the 

 water and flew into the sunshine, and coolly proceeded 

 to arrange their feathers. 



Upon another occasion an incident occurred showing 

 the bird's intelligence. A side gate had been left open, 

 and a neighbor's hen had wandered in. The bird's cries 

 summoned me, when he pointed out the hen, which was 

 scratching among the shrubbery. All summer the bird 

 had been accustomed to seeing the fowls in the adjoin- 

 ing lot, and was not at all afraid of them ; but he knew 

 this hen had no business in his dominions, and he was 



