Muffy's House Guests

What just fell on my head?

Summary
Muffy is terrified when peregrine falcons build a nest outside her bedroom window.

Plot
In the introduction, Muffy’s friends play in the Crosswires’ pool and Muffy explains how she gets house guests to leave. First, she offers free ice-cream at the Sugar Bowl. Then, she tells them that Bailey is ready to take them home. When the others ignore her, she drains the water from the pool.

Muffy's House Guests

Brain follows a peregrine falcon to its nest, which is on the balcony of the Crosswire mansion, right outside Muffy's bedroom. Francine and Sue Ellen follow Brain and are fascinated by the birds. Muffy, however, is terrified and wants Bailey to remove the nest. When Mr. Crosswire arrives, he takes Muffy's side, while Bailey, Francine and Sue Ellen point out that the falcons are endangered. Brain calls Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation and tells the others that it is illegal to touch the nest of a peregrine falcon.

That night, Muffy closes the curtains in her room because the birds bother her. A bird screech makes her flee from her room.

The next morning, when Francine picks up Muffy, something falls on Muffy. Muffy panics because she thinks it is bird poop, but it is egg shells because the chicks are hatching. Francine calls Mr. Ratburn.

Soon, the Crosswire's driveway is crowded with people, including the news. Muffy wants her dad to do something, but he puts on his duck costume and uses the publicity to advertise “cheep” cars. Muffy decides to take matters into her own hands.

Muffy tries to lure the falcons away by tying a dollhouse on the limousine. When she waves a toy mouse to attract their attention, one falcon dives at her and Muffy falls in the mud.

While Muffy is recovering, Brain asks her why she is afraid of birds. Muffy tells him, how on her fourth birthday, she was freaked out by two people in goose costumes at a restaurant. Brain suggests that she familiarize herself with the falcons.

Muffy looks out of the window and agrees that the young birds are cute. She is a bit frightened when the mother returns, but then throws a shoe at a raccoon to protect the chicks.

Six weeks later, the Crosswire driveway is crowded and Muffy and her dad charge money for binocular rentals. The young falcons fly off and Muffy shows her friends a Picturegram account on which other birders can update her on the birds' progress. She is also thinking of adopting a canary.

Major

 * Muffy Crosswire
 * Brain
 * Chester and Fester

Minor

 * Francine Frensky
 * Sue Ellen Armstrong
 * Bailey
 * Ed Crosswire
 * Nigel Ratburn

Cameo

 * Arthur Read
 * Buster Baxter
 * Jessica
 * Francis Haney
 * Oliver Frensky
 * Mrs. Powers
 * Mrs. Barnes
 * Millicent Crosswire
 * Binky Barnes
 * Leah MacGrady
 * Portia Demwiddy
 * Ramón Molina
 * Kiefer
 * 4th Grade Male Dog
 * Steve
 * Beulah McInnerny
 * Nancy
 * Otis
 * 3rd Grade Female Aardvark
 * 3rd Grade Female Aardvark (Number 2)
 * 3rd Grade Female Cat (Number 2)
 * 3rd Grade Male Rat
 * Edwin
 * Liam
 * Julie
 * Mr. Lancaster
 * Paige Turner
 * Lucy
 * Emily
 * Marie-Helene
 * Mary
 * Cheikh

Mentioned

 * Muffy's grandfather

Trivia

 * Peregrine falcons build no nests out of twigs, though they may take over abandoned nests from other birds. They nest on cliffs, building ledges and occasionally in tree hollows.
 * Timeline: It is revealed in this episode that Muffy has a fear of birds. However, despite this, she was part of the bird-watching club in "For the Birds," and she was also the one who came up with the idea for the Crosswire Motors duck commercial in "Flippity Francine."
 * Moral: When someone tries to get rid of something that bothers her/him, don't interfere for your own benifits.

Episode connections

 * Ed wears the duck costume from "Flippity Francine" and "Invasion of the Soccer Fans."

Cultural references

 * Picturegram is a parody of.

Errors

 * The overhead sign at The Sugar Bowl says "Sugar-Free Bowl" in one scene. The aerial view of the building was very likely recycled artwork from "D.W. and the Beastly Birthday," when it was suggested that the parlor will be renamed in the future.
 * Mr. Haney is seen in this episode, despite having left for Africa in "The Hallway Minotaur."
 * However, it's possible that this episode takes place before that one.

Home Video
DVD:
 * Arthur Celebrates Community