242 
CAT BIRD. 
were around me; for such sounds, at such a season, in the 
woods, are no less alarming to the feathered tenants of the 
bushes, than the cry of fire or murder in the streets is to the 
inhabitants of a large and populous city. On such occasions 
of alarm and consternation, the Cat Bird is the first to make 
his appearance, not singly, but sometimes half a dozen at a 
time, flying from different quarters to the spot. At this time, 
those who are disposed to play with his feelings may almost 
throw him into fits, his emotion and agitation are so great, 
at the distressful cries of what he supposes to be his suffering 
young. Other birds are variously affected ; but none shew 
symptoms of such extreme suffering. He hurries backwards 
and forwards, with hanging wings and open mouth, calling 
out louder and faster, and actually screaming with distress, 
till he appears hoarse with his exertions. He attempts no 
offensive means; but he bewails — he implores — in the most 
pathetic terms with which nature has supplied him, and with 
an agony of feeling which is truly affecting. Every feathered 
neighbour within hearing hastens to the place, to learn the 
cause of the alarm, peeping about with looks of consternation 
and sympathy. But their own powerful parental duties and 
domestic concerns soon oblige each to withdraw* At any 
other season, the most perfect imitations have no effect what- 
ever on him. 
The Cat Bird will not easily desert its nest. I took two 
eggs from one which was sitting, and in their place put two 
of the Brown Thrush, or Thrasher, and took my stand at a 
convenient distance, to see how she would behave. In a 
minute or two, the male made his approaches, stooped down, 
and looked earnestly at the strange eggs, then flew off to his 
mate, who was not far distant, with whom he seemed to have 
some conversation, and instantly returning, with the greatest 
gentleness took out both the Thrasher’s eggs, first one and 
then the other, carried them singly about thirty yards, and 
dropt them among the bushes. I then returned the two eggs 
I had taken, and, soon after, the female resumed her place on 
the nest as before. 
