96 
MOCiaNG-BIRD. 
within a small distance of the house; and not unfrequently in a 
pear or apple tree; rarely at a greater height than six or seven 
feet from the ground. The nest varies a little with different in- 
dividuals, according to the conveniency of collecting suitable ma- 
terials. A very complete one is now lying before me, and is 
composed of the following substances. First a quantity of dry 
twigs and sticks, then withered tops of weeds of the preceding 
year, intermixed with fine straws, hay, pieces of wool and tow; 
and lastly, a thick layer of fine fibrous roots, of a light brown 
colour, lines the whole. The eggs, one of which is represented 
at fig. 2, are four, sometimes five, of a cinereous blue, marked 
with large blotches of brown. The female sits fourteen days; 
and generally produces two brood in the season, unless robbed 
of her eggs, in which case she will even build and lay the third 
time. She is, however, extremely jealous of her nest, and very 
apt to forsake it if much disturbed. It is even asserted by some 
of our bird dealers, that the old ones will actually destroy the 
eggs, and poison the young, if either the one or the other have 
been handled. But I cannot give credit to this unnatural report. 
I know from my own experience, at least, that it is not always 
their practice; neither have I ever witnessed a case’of the kind 
above mentioned. During the period of incubation neither cat, 
dog, animal or man, can approach the nest without being at- 
tacked. The cats, in particular, are persecuted whenever they 
make their appearance, till obliged to retreat. But his whole 
vengeance is most particularly directed against that mortal ene- 
my of his eggs and young, the black snake. Whenever the in- 
sidious approaches of this reptile are discovered, the male darts 
upon it with the rapidity of an arrow, dexterously eluding its 
bite, and striking it violently and incessantly about the head, 
where it is very vulnerable. The snake soon becomes sensible 
of its danger, and seeks to escape; but the intrepid defender of 
his young redoubles his exertions, and, unlesss his antagonist 
be of great magnitude, often succeeds in destroying him. All 
its pretended powers of fascination avail it nothing against the 
vengeance of this noble bird. As the snake’s strength begins to 
