THE CAT-BIRD. 
81 
such spots we also meet a mingled society of plants whicli it 
is interesting to note. The wild natives of the woods grow there 
willingly, while many strangers, brought originally from over the 
Ocean, steal gradually onward from the tilled fields and gardens, 
until at last they stand side by side upon the same bank, the 
European weed and the wild native flower. 
These foreign intruders are a bold and hardy race, driving 
away the prettier natives. It is frequently remarked by elderly 
persons familiar with the country, that our own wild flowers are 
very much less common than they were forty years since. Some 
varieties are diminishing rapidly. Flowers are described to us by 
those on whom we can place implicit reliance, which we search 
for, in vain, to-day. The strange pitcher-plant is said to have 
been much more common, and the moccasin-flower abounded for- 
merly even within the present limits of the village. Both are 
now rare, and it is considered a pece of good luck to find them. 
The fragrant azalea is also said to have colored the side-hills in 
earlier times, on spots where they are now only found scattered 
here and there. 
Saturday, 20tk. — The cat-birds are mewing about the grounds. 
They have been here some little time, usually stealing upon us 
unawares. They are as common here as elsewhere, and as par- 
tial to the society of man. A pair of these birds built for several 
successive years in an adjoining garden, and became quite fearless 
and familiar, always seeming pleased when the owner of the gar- 
den appeared to work there, according to his custom, giving him 
a song by way of greeting, and fluttering about close at hand as 
long as he remained. Last year the family moved away, but we 
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