148 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
birds, as though they were in pain or danger, has 
brought at least half a dozen cat-birds 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 distressful cries of what he supposes to 
be his suffering young. Other birds are variously 
affected, but none show symptoms of such extreme 
suffering. He hurries backward and forward with 
hanging wings and open mouth, calling out louder 
and faster, and actually screaming with distress, till 
he appears hoarse with his exertions. He attempts 
no offensive means ; but he bewails, he implores, in 
the most pathetic terms with which Nature has sup- 
plied him, and with an agony of feeling which is 
truly affecting. Every feathered neighbor within 
hearing hastens to the place to learn the cause of 
the alarm, peeping about with looks of conster- 
nation and sympathy. But their own parental 
duties and domestic concerns soon oblige each to 
withdraw.’ 
“ It is only while his young are in the nest that 
the cat-bird can be wrought up in this manner ; at 
any other season the most perfect imitations have no 
effect upon him.” 
“ I think it is very wicked to tease the poor bird 
so,” said Clara indignantly. 
