Until about a month ago the N. Mockingbird that hangs around my bird feeding area has been content to closely guard the berries on a nearby hybrid holly and the English ivy growing in an old chestnut. No more. It now vigorously chases birds from all feeders too, including the seed and suet. Needless to say, this behavior is making it hard to carry out my FeederWatch count, which I do two days a week. The bird gets a little "crazy" when a large flock of a certain species comes in at once. The other day about thirty Cedar Waxwings visited to partake of the ivy berries. The Mockingbird tried but was not successful in chasing them all away. Nevertheless, I have been frustrated to the point I start feeling the urge "To kill a Mockingbird." A large Cooper's hawk has been hanging around. Maybe I'll get lucky. With apologies, Ron Harrington Bristol, VA