68o FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ZOOLOGY, VOL. IX. 



Family MIMID^E. Thrashers, Mocking- 

 birds, etc. 



The members of the family Mimidae are, as a rule, gifted vocalists, 

 the Mockingbird being perhaps the most prominent on account of 

 its familiarity to most observers. They are wood-loving insectiv- 

 orous birds, although often seen in the open. 



Genus MIMUS Boie. 



339. Mimus polyglottos (LiNN.). 



MOCKINGBIRD. 



Distr.: Southern United States and northern Mexico, from Mary- 

 land, Kentucky, southern Illinois, and Kansas southward and cas- 

 ually farther north, breeding throughout its range. 



Mockingbird. 



Adult: Upper parts, gray; under parts, white, tinged on breast and 

 sides with pale gray; primary coverts and basal portion of primaries, 

 white, forming a conspicuous white wing patch; middle tail feathers, 

 brownish black; outer tail feathers, mostly white. Sexes similar. 



Immature: Upper plumage, grayish brown; under parts, white; 

 breast spotted with dusky ; wings and tail as in the adult. 



Length, about 9.75; wing, 4.45; tail, 4.80; bill, .65. 



