BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 51 



for the self -conceited jay to pass by without resenting. 

 "With a sudden wheel he flies at the derider, who eludes 

 him by slipping beneath his throne ; the jay peers be- 

 neath, then follows, but the mocking-bird flits out and 

 alights upon a little cypress bending over the river. 

 The jay, satisfied that he is gone, comes out and takes 

 his position on the throne, and recommences his cry. 

 The mimic, not yet quelled, and now thoroughly in- 

 dignant with the usurper of his throne, mocks him 

 even louder than before. The angry jay again starts 

 after him ; he now flies directly out over the river. 

 The river at this point is five miles across. The jay 

 followed only a short distance, then returned, and went 

 out of the neighborhood. The mocking-bird made a 

 curve in his flight, and was soon back, looking cautious- 

 ly around ; finally he ventures on the hedge of Spanish- 

 bayonets, and from thence to his throne. 



In the spring there is a marked change in the be- 

 havior of the jay ; he no longer comes openly and bold- 

 ly upon the grounds, but glides in noiselessly, for he 

 knows the birds of other species in a common interest 

 will concentrate their forces, and as soon as he is dis- 

 covered, a note of alarm will be sounded, when in flock 

 the troops to the rescue. They seem to come from all 

 quarters ; even the smaller birds — wrens and sparrows 

 — help to swell the ranks ; and the intruder makes an 

 inglorious retreat, followed by the justly indignant 

 guardians of households. Audubon says, "The car- 

 dinal-grossbeak will challenge him, and beat him off the 



