190 
COMMON MOCKING-BIRD. 
repeatedly forced from the dear spot, and has been much alarmed by frequent 
intrusions, that she finally and reluctantly leaves it. Nay, if the eggs are on 
the eve of being hatched, she will almost suffer a person to lay hold of her. 
Different species of snakes ascend to their nests, and generally suck the 
eggs or swallow the young ; but on all such occasions, not only the pair to 
which the nest belongs, but many other Mocking-birds from the vicinity, fly 
to the spot, attack the reptiles, and, in some cases, are so fortunate as either 
to force them to retreat, or deprive them of life. Cats that have abandoned 
the houses to prowl about the fields, in a half wild state, are also dangerous 
enemies, as they frequently approach the nest unnoticed, and at a pounce 
secure the mother, or at least destroy the eggs or young, and overturn the 
nest. Children seldom destroy the nests of these birds, and the planters 
generally protect them. So much does this feeling prevail throughout 
Louisiana, that they will not willingly permit a Mocking-bird to be shot at 
any time. 
In winter, nearly all the Mocking-birds approach the farm-houses and 
plantations, living about the gardens or outhouses. They are then frequently 
seen on the roofs, and perched on the chimney-tops ; yet they always appear 
full of animation. Whilst searching for food on the ground, their motions 
are light and elegant, and they frequently open their wings as butterflies do 
when basking in the sun, moving a step or two, and again throwing out their 
wings. When the weather is mild, the old males are heard singing with 
as much spirit as during the spring or summer, while the younger birds are 
busily engaged in practising, preparatory to the love season. They seldom 
resort to the interior of the forest either during the day or by night, but 
usually roost among the foliage of evergreens, in the immediate vicinity of 
houses in Louisiana, although in the Eastern States they prefer low fir trees. 
The flight of the Mocking-bird is performed by short jerks of the body 
and wings, at every one of which a strong twitching motion of the tail is 
perceived. This motion is still more apparent while the bird is walking, 
when it opens its tail like a fan and instantly closes it again. The common 
cry or call of this bird is a very mournful note, resembling that uttered on 
similar occasions by its first cousin the Orpheus rufus, or, as it is commonly 
called, the “ French Mocking-bird." When travelling, this flight is only a 
little prolonged, as the bird goes from tree to tree, or at most across a field, 
scarcely, if ever, rising higher than the top of the forest. During this 
migration, it generally resorts to the highest parts of the woods near water- 
courses, utters its usual mournful note, and roosts in these places. It travels 
mostly by day. 
Few Hawks attack the Mocking-birds, as on their approach, however 
sudden it may be, they are always ready not only to defend themselves 
