264 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADEER. 
osity for the hidden charmer, when shriek after 
shriek, in the fiercest tones of some ravenous 
bird, sets them all flying in the utmost terror 
from the supposed terrible enemy. When the 
cunning deception has been successfully accom¬ 
plished, no one can doubt the rich enjoyment of 
the wag who has ever beheld him coming from 
his hiding-place, and, in the very ecstasy of de¬ 
light, flitting from limb to limb, fluttering his 
wings and chattering—or, indeed, fairly laugh¬ 
ing—at his frightened dupes. One cunning old 
bird was observed to repeat these feats of de¬ 
ception and waggery almost every day during 
an entire summer, leaving no doubt in the mind 
of the deeply-interested observer that they were 
deliberately planned and carried out, and that 
they were enjoyed by the wily bird with the 
keenest zest. 
“The well-known catbird, a first cousin of 
the mocking-bird, has no mean vocal powers. 
Indeed, an old male bird will sometimes fairly 
rival his more gifted relative in everything but 
his marvels of mimicry. By the lover of bird- 
melodies his return is ever hailed with a glad 
welcome. 
“ The dainty little canary must not be omitted 
