BIRDS OF AMERICA. 



FERRUGINOUS MOCKING-BIRD. 



t - Orpheus rttfus, Linn. 



PLATE CXLL— Male, Female, and Nest. 



Reader, look attentively at the plate before you, and say if such a scene 

 as that which I have attempted to portray, is not calculated to excite the 

 compassion of any one who is an admirer of woodland melody, or who 

 sympathizes with the courageous spirit which the male bird shews, as he 

 defends his nest, and exerts all his powers to extricate his beloved mate from 

 the coils of the vile snake which has already nearly deprived her of life. 

 Another male of the same species, answering the call of despair from his 

 "fellow creature," comes swiftly downwards to rescue the sufferers. With 

 open bill he is already prepared to strike a vengeful blow at the reptile, his 

 bright eye glancing hatred at his foe. See a third grappling with the snake, 

 and with all its might tearing the skin from its body ! Should this alliance 

 of noble spirits prove victorious, will it not remind you that innocence, 

 although beset with difficulties, may, with the aid of friendship, extricate 

 herself with honour? 



The birds in the case represented were greatly the sufferers: their nest 

 was upset, their eggs lost, and the life of the female in imminent danger. 

 But the snake was finally conquered, and a jubilee held over its carcass by 

 a crowd of Thrushes and other birds, until the woods resounded with their 

 notes of exultation. I was happy in contributing my share to the general 



Vol. III. 2 



