MOCKING BIRD. 
323 
or a thicket for his nest sometimes an orchard tree con- 
tiguous to the house is selected for the purpose, at little 
more than the height of a man from the ground. The 
composition of this cradle of his species is, generally, an 
external mass of dry twigs, leaves, and grass, blended 
with bits of decayed wood, and then surmounted with a 
thick layer or lining of root-fibres of a light brown color. 
The eggs are about 4 or 5, pale green, with blotches of 
brown scattered nearly all over. The female sits 14 
days, usually producing two broods in a season, and is 
often assiduously fed ? while so engaged, by the atten- 
tive male. She is jealous of her nest, and complains 
with a mournful note, their usual low call, when her eggs 
have been touched, but does not readily abandon the spot 
she has once chosen. * None of the domestic animals, 
or man himself, but particularly the cat and dog, can 
approach, during the period of incubation, without re- 
ceiving an attack from these affectionate guardians of 
their brood. Their most insidious and deadly enemies, 
however, are reptiles, particularly the black snake, who 
spares neither the eggs nor young. As soon, as his fatal 
approach is discovered, by the male, he darts upon 
him without hesitation, eludes his bites, and striking 
him about the head, and particularly the eyes, where 
most vulnerable, he soon succeeds in causing him to re- 
treat, and by redoubling his blows, in spite of all pre- 
tended fascination, the wily monster often falls a victim 
to his temerity ; and the heroic bird, leaving his enemy 
dead on the field he provoked, mounts on the bush above 
his affectionate mate and brood, and in token of victory 
celebrates his loudest song. 
The Mocking-bird, like the Nightingale, is destitute 
of brilliant plumage, but his form is beautiful, deli- 
* Audubon, Orn. Biog. vol. i. p. 111. 
