246 CATBIRD. 



and young the snake has a particular partiality. It is no 

 wonder that those species whose nests are usually built near 

 the ground should be the greatest sufferers, and the most 

 solicitous for their safety : hence the cause why the cat bird 

 makes such a distinguished figure in most of these marvellous 

 narrations. That a poisonous snake will strike a bird or mouse, 

 and allow it to remain till nearly expiring before he begins 

 to devour it, our observations on the living rattlesnake at pre- 

 sent (1811) kept by Mr Peale satisfy us is a fact ; but that 

 the same snake, with eyes, breath, or any other known quality 

 he possesses, should be capable of drawing a bird, reluctantly, 

 from the tree tops to its mouth, is an absurdity too great for 

 me to swallow. 



I am led to these observations by a note which I received 

 this morning from my worthy friend Mr Bartram : — " Yester- 

 day," says this gentleman, " I observed a conflict or contest 

 between a cat bird and a snake. It took place in a gravel 

 walk in the garden, near a dry wall of stone. I was within 

 a few yards of the combatants. The bird pounced or darted 

 upon the snake, snapping his bill ; the snake would then draw 

 himself quickly into a coil, ready for a blow ; but the bird 

 would cautiously circumvent him at a little distance, now and 

 then running up to, and snapping at him ; but keeping at a 

 sufficient distance to avoid a blow. After some minutes, it 

 became a running fight, the snake retreating ; and, at last, he 

 took shelter in the wall. The cat bird had young ones in the 

 bushes near the field of battle. 



" This may show the possibility of poisonous snakes biting 

 birds ; the operation of the poison causing them to become, as 

 it were, fascinated." 



