THE BROWN THRUSHES : 
8 ^ 
Almost fainting with terror, she uttered a 
shriek, and fled for protection to Brown 
Thrush, thus contradicting all her assertions 
concerning her comparative indifference for 
him. As soon as the other birds saw who the 
intruder was, all was confusion and dismay. 
Mrs. Cat Bird, knowing that her beautiful eggs 
were likely to be destroyed, became almost 
frantic, and calling for help to her compan- 
ions, she flew at the snake with beak open, and 
eyes blazing with rage ; alighting on the tree 
beside him, she darted at his eyes, and, assisted 
by most of the other birds, succeeded in driv- 
ing him to the ground, where he was soon 
killed by a boy, who chanced to be passing by. 
Conspicuous in the fight was Brown Thrush, 
who, having placed Miss Thrush in a secure 
place, flew at the enemy, and gave him some 
very sharp blows and severe bites. So well 
did he behave himself, that Mrs. Cat Bird, in a 
conversation with her husband afterwards, said 
that he was, after all, a fine fellow, and de- 
served every happiness, and she hoped that 
Miss Brown would make him a good wife, 
