Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-11
M0CKlNG BIRD MAKES
BRAVE DEFENSE OF NEST
Sounds the Alarm When Snakes APP
pear, and chases Trouble-
some Cats and
Dogs

nee the other day asking whether IL
was true that the moclSing bird was so
vicious that 1t would attack snakes ana
even other birds.
The best possible reply to that ques-
tfon seems to be found in this letter.
published in Forest and Stream, which
relates some experiences of man In
Texas. He says:
/ know nothing of the bird In Ar
kansas, but have a lifelong acquaint-
ance with it in Texas. And there, far
from being a timid bird it is rather
feathered fury when angered. 1t will
attack anything from man down, and
as to birds of prey, cats and dogs, 1t
renders their life miserable Many a
hawk, owl and Mexican eagle, whose
presence has been betrayed to me by
these birds, have fallen to my gun.
The minute they sight them they be-
gin circling about their perch, or fol-
lowing their flight, emitting angry calls
aloud, "Chert, chert,' and darting
down on them from aloft always from
behind, making feathers fly at each on
slaught. A pair of them have often
bested q hawk or owl and driven them
from their chosen range before my
eyes, You know each motkingbird, or
rather pair. have certain beat, or
range. wherein they allow no rival.
ously attack any other bird that may
poach upon their preserves.
Keep Cats Away from Nest
During the nesting season they Wig
orously prosecute any cat that dares
appear within this territory, lowering
over it, darting down upon its back.
tweaking it's ears or tail or pulling
hairs. they drive it to shelter, knowing
by experience that many thriving
nest of young are destroyed by these
pests. One old Tom of my acquain-
70 n ha
older birds. Several times have seen
him. when undergoing such an attack,
suddenly whirl and leap into the air,
catching the assailant mocker before
he could dart away. 1t is needless to
say his own end was as sudden, for a
charge of No. shot avenged the death
of the third mocker
Tweaks Dogs Tail
Dogs often catch the young birds
while learning to use their wings, so
come in for a just amount of enmity
from the adult birds. well remember
the sufferings of a Boston terrier,
"Bobs,' from such attacks. They
seemed to know that the stub of his
docked tail was the most sensitive
point they could assail. He was dog
of much dignity OF bearing and 1t was
amusing to see the mocker dart upon
him from an adjacent bush, tweak the
hairs upon that stub tail, then fash
away. Bobs would give yelp of pain,
whirl around, look foolish and start
off again with an injured air, only to
receive another attack from the rear.
until he took to ignominious fight.
He would often Try reprisal, lying
on the gallery apparently asleep, but
with one eye on the scolding mocker,
who, after a time, would drop from
his perch to the lawn in search of
luscious worm or venturesome grass
hopper, whereupon Bobs would make
valiant rush and chase the mocker.
who apparently enjoyed the game. fly
ing low and just fast enough to keep
out of his reach until his favorite bush
was near. Then he would perch there
and begin his scolding ebert, Chert,"
until Bobs' back was turned. Then
the chase was reversed and Bobs was
glad to seek the house.
AS to their attacking snakes, know
they never failed to sound the alarm
In most strenuous fashion whenever
they saw one. BlaCksnake, chicken
snake and moccasins have many times
been betrayed to me by these keen
eyed patrols. They always perched on
the shrubs or brushes nearby and
watched the destruction of their enc
my with an alert air of satisfaction.
Many of them became very tame
and 1 had one that few through the
open window and perched on the chair
in the dining room every morning.
often alighting on the taple TO eat tue
crumbs. His favorite diet was lard,
and he would plunge his bill into the
white substance again and again.
swallowing it with evident enjoyment
His coat soon showed the efects
of this diet, being much darker ana
glossier than his companions. He am
ply repaid US with his exquisite mel
ody every night and to show his con-
fidence, he and his mate built their
nest in a tree not ten feet from the
kitchen door.
I have never known of their actually
destroying a snake, but have little
doubt that they could, as they are per-
sistent and very courageous.
If they discover person taking their
young, they will fly In his face. pluck
his hair and generally show fight, nor
will they cease when the nest and the
young are removed, but will assail
the ravisher on his every appearance
in that vicinity for days afterward.