THE MOCKING BIRD. 69 



mewing of the Cat-bird, the loud clear melody of the 

 Wood Robin, the shrill cry of the Woodpecker, and 

 many other voices equally attractive. As we advance 

 into the thicket the confusion of sounds increases; 

 every song with which we are familiar, and many 

 more, seem suddenly let loose upon the ear, and last, 

 though it is broad day, we are surprised to hear the 

 cry of the Whip-poor-will. This exciting our curios- 

 ity, we naturally look around to discover the cause 

 of so strange an occurrence; but still sounds the 

 clear cry of" Whip-poor-will ! whip-poor-will !" When 

 suddenly there darts up from a low bush near by a 

 fine Mocking Bird, and settling on a branch within 

 our view, continues his varied melody. The secret 

 is at once explained ; the little mimic before us has 

 been the sole cause of our surprise, and there he sits 

 flirting his long tail from side to side with an air of 

 perfect satisfaction, expanding his wings and stretch- 

 ing his neck in all directions, while he calls out with 

 much animation, " Bob -White! Bob -White!" and 

 before poor Bob -White has time to scamper to his 

 covey, the screams of the Pigeon Hawk are heard 

 wild and clear; then immediately his voice falls into 

 some soft and tender warble, gradually rising higher 

 and higher until we recognize, among a host of others, 

 the clear and ringing melody of the Brown Thrush, 

 set off with the gentler tones of the Robin and Blue- 

 bird, occasionally interspersed with some fine, pleas- 

 ing original notes. We stand and listen with delight 

 to this grand concert of Nature's great musician, his 

 voice ever changing, ever sweet, until the twilight 



