12 FERRUGINOUS MOCKING-BIRD. 



the racoon or the fox. It follows the Astur Cooperii and the Goshawk, 

 bidding them defiance, and few snakes come off with success when they 

 attack its nest. It is remarkable also, that, although these birds have frequent 

 and severe conflicts among themselves, yet when the least alarm is given by 

 an individual, a whole party of them instantly rush forth to assist in chasing 

 off the common enemy. When two nests happen to be placed near each 

 other, the males are seen to fight furiously, and are joined by the females. 

 On such occasions, the males approach each other with much caution, 

 spreading out, and often jerking up, down, or to either side, their long fan- 

 like tail, generally betaking themselves to the ground, and uttering a note of 

 defiance, until one of them, perceiving some advantage afforded by its 

 position or some other circumstance, rushes to the charge. The attack once 

 fairly made, the fight seldom ends until one has beaten the other, after which 

 the vanquished rarely attempts to retaliate, and peace is made between the 

 parties. They are fond of bathing and of dusting themselves in the sand of 

 the roads. They bathe in small puddles during the heat of the sun, and 

 then remove to the sandy paths, where they roll themselves, dry their 

 plumage, and free it of insects. When disturbed on these occasions, they 

 merely run off and hide themselves under the nearest bushes, to return as 

 soon as the intruder has retired. 



During the period of incubation, the male is heard from the top of a 

 neighbouring tree, singing for hours at a time. It ascends to this pinnacle 

 by leaping from branch to branch, and selects several trees for the purpose, 

 none of them more than a hundred yards from the nest. Its song over, it 

 dives towards its favourite thicket, seldom descending by the assistance of 

 the branches. Both male and female sit on the eggs. Their mutual attach- 

 ment, and their courage in defending their nest, are well known to children 

 living in the country. They resent the intrusion even of man, assaulting 

 him, and emitting a strong guttural note resembling tchai, tchai, accompanied 

 by a plaintive wed, and continued until the enemy retires. Should he carry 

 off their treasure, he is sure to be followed a great way, perhaps half a mile, 

 both birds continually crossing his path, and bestowing on him the reproaches 

 he so richly deserves. 



The food of this Thrush, which is also known by the name of French 

 Mocking-bird, consists of insects, worms, berries, and fruits of all sorts. It 

 is fond of figs, and wherever ripe pears are, there also may it be found. In 

 winter, they resort to the berries of the dogwood, the sumach, and holly, 

 and ascend to the tops of the tallest trees in search of grapes. At this 

 season, they are easily caught in traps, and many are exposed for sale in the 

 southern markets, although few of the old birds live long in captivity. Some 

 planters complain of their propensity to scratch the ground for the purpose 



