CAT-BIRD. 91 



he usually reaches this part of Pennsylvania; and about the be- 

 ginnmg of May has already succeeded in building his nest. The 

 place chosen for this purpose is generally a thicket of briars or 

 brambles, a thorn bush, thick vine, or the fork of a small sap- 

 ling; no great solicitude is shewn for concealment; tho few birds 

 appear more interested for the safety of their nest and young. The 

 materials are dry leaves and weeds, small twigs and fine dry grass, 

 the inside is lined with the fine black fibrous roots of some plant. 

 The female lays four, sometimes five eggs, of a uniform greenish 

 blue color, without any spots. They generally raise two, and some- 

 times three brood in a season. 



In passing thro the woods in summer I have sometimes amused 

 myself with imitating the violent chirping or squeaking of young 

 birds, in order to observe what different species were around me, for 

 such sounds, at such a season in the woods, are no less alarming 

 to the feathered tenants of the bushes than the cry of fire or mur- 

 der in the streets, is to the inhabitants of a large and populous city. 

 On such occasions of alarm and consternation, the Cat-bird is the 

 first to make his appearance, not singly, but sometimes half a dozen 

 at a time, flying from different quarters to the spot. At this time 

 those who are disposed to play with his feelings may almost throw 

 him into fits, his emotion and agitation are so great, at the distress- 

 ful cries of what he supposes to be his suffering young. Other birds 

 are variously affected; but none shew symptoms of such extreme 

 suffering. He hurries backwards and forwards, with hanging wings 

 and open mouth, calling out louder and faster, and actually scream- 

 ing with distress, till he appears hoarse with his exertions. He at- 

 tempts no offensive means ; but he bewails, he implores, in the 

 most pathetic terms with which nature has supplied him, and with 

 an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. Every feathered neigh- 

 bour within hearing hastens to the place, to learn the cause of the 

 alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation and sympathy. 

 But their own powerful parental duties and domestic concerns soon 



