CATBIRD. 
197 
and thus, coupled with an ill name, this delightful and familiar 
songster, who seeks out the very society of man and reposes 
an unmerited confidence in his protection, is treated with un- 
deserved obloquy and contempt. The flight of the Catbird is 
laborious, and usually continued only from bush to bush ; his 
progress, however, is very wily, and his attitudes and jerks 
amusingly capricious. He appears to have very little fear of 
enemies, often descends to the ground in quest of insects, and 
though almost familiar, is very quick in his retreat from real 
danger. 
I'he food of the Catbird is similar to that of the preceding 
species, being insects and worms, particularly beetles, and va- 
rious garden fruits ; feeding his young often on cherries and 
various kinds of berries. Sometimes these birds are observed 
to attack snakes when they approach the vicinity of the nest, 
and commonly succeed in driving off the enemy ; when bitten, 
however, by the poisonous kinds, it is probable, as related, 
that they may act in such a manner as to appear laboring 
under the influence of fascination. The Catbird, when raised 
from the nest, is easily domesticated, becomes a very amusing 
inmate, and seems attached to his cage, as to a dwelling or 
place of security. About dawn of day, if at large, he flirts 
about with affected wildness, repeatedly jerks his tail and 
wings with the noise almost of a whip, and stretching forth his 
head, opens his mouth and mews. Sometimes this curious 
cry is so guttural as to be uttered without opening the bill. He 
often also gives a squeal as he flies from one place to another, 
and is very tame, though pugnacious to all other birds which 
approach him for injury. When wanting food, he stirs round 
with great uneasiness, jerks everything about within his reach, 
and utters the feeble cry of the caged Mocking Bird. A very 
amusing individual, which I now describe, began his vocal 
powers by imitating the sweet and low warble of the Song 
Sparrow, as given in the autumn ; and from his love of imita- 
tion on other occasions, I am inclined to believe that he pos- 
sesses no original note of his own, but acquires and modulates 
the songs of other birds. Like the Robin, he is exceedingly 
