12 
FERRUGINOUS MOCKING-BIRD. 
the racoon or the fox. It follows the Astur Cooperii and the Goshawk, 
bidding them defiance, and few snakes come off with success when they 
attack its nest. It is remarkable also, that, although these birds have fre- 
quent and severe conflicts among themselves, yet when the least alarm is 
given by an individual, a whole party of them instantly rush forth to assist 
in chasing off the common enemy. When two nests happen to be placed 
near each other, the males are seen to fight furiously, and are joined by the 
females. On such occasions, the males approach each other with much 
caution, spreading out, and often jerking up, down, or to either side, their long 
fan-like tail, generally betaking themselves to the ground, and uttering a 
note of defiance, until one of them, perceiving some advantage afforded by 
its position or some other circumstance, rushes to the charge. The attack 
once fairly made, the fight seldom ends until one has beaten the other, after 
which the vanquished rarely attempts to retaliate, and peace is made be- 
tween the parties. They are fond of bathing and of dusting themselves 
in the sand of the roads. They bathe in small puddles during the heat of 
the sun, and then remove to the sandy paths, where they roll themselves, 
dry their plumage, and free it of insects. When disturbed on these occa- 
sions, they merely run off and hide themselves under the nearest bushes, to 
return as soon as the intruder has retired. 
During the period of incubation, the male is heard from the top of a 
neighbouring tree, singing for hours at a time. It ascends to this pinnacle 
by leaping from branch to branch, and selects several trees for the purpose, 
none of them more than a hundred yards from the nest. Its song over, it 
dives towards its favourite thicket, seldom descending by the assistance of 
the branches. Both male and female sit on the eggs. Their mutual attach- 
ment, and their courage in defending their nest, are well known to children 
living in the country. They resent the intrusion even of man, assaulting 
him, and emitting a strong guttural note resembling tchai, tchai, accompanied 
by a plaintive wed, and continued until the enemy retires. Should he carry 
off their treasure, he is sure to be followed a great way, perhaps half a 
mile, both birds continually crossing his path, and bestowing on him the 
reproaches he so richly deserves. 
The food of this Thrush, which is also known by the name of French 
Mocking-bird, consists of insects, worms, berries, and fruits of all sorts. It 
is fond of figs, and wherever ripe pears are, there also may it be found. In 
winter, they resort to the berries of the dogwood, the sumach, and holly, 
and ascend to the tops of the tallest trees in search of grapes. At this 
season, they are easily caught in traps, and many are exposed for sale in the 
southern markets, although few of the old birds live long in captivity. Some 
planters complain of their propensity to scratch the ground for the purpose 
