BIRDS OF AMERICA 
FERRUGINOUS MOCKING-BIRD. 
Orpheus rufus, Linn . 
PLATE C5LI. — Male, Female, and Nest. 
Reader, look attentively at the plate before you, and say if such a scene 
as that which I have attempted to portray, is not calculated to excite the 
compassion of any one who is an admirer of woodland melody, or who 
sympathizes with the courageous spirit which the male bird shews, as he 
defends his nest, and exerts all his powers to extricate his beloved mate 
from the coils of the vile snake which has already nearly deprived her of 
life. Another male of the same species, answering the call of despair from 
his “ fellow creature,’" comes swiftly downwards to rescue the sufferers. 
With open bill he is already prepared to strike a vengeful blow at the 
reptile, his bright eye glancing hatred at his foe. See a third grappling 
with the snake, and with all its might tearing the skin from its body! 
Should this alliance of noble spirits prove victorious, will it not remind 
you that innocence, although beset with difficulties, may, with the aid of 
friendship, extricate herself with honour? 
The birds in the case represented were greatly the sufferers : their nest 
was upset, their eggs lost, and the life of the female in imminent danger. 
But the snake was finally conquered, and a jubilee held over its carcass by 
a crowd of Thrushes and other birds, until the woods resounded with their 
notes of exultation. I was happy in contributing my share to the general 
Vol. III. 2 
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