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GREAT CAROLINA OR MOCKING WREN. 433 



is answered by its mate, sometimes in the same note, 

 at others in a different call. In most cases it will be 

 remarked, that the phrases of our songster are uttered in 

 3s ; by this means, it will generally be practicable to 

 distinguish its performance from that of other birds, and 

 particularly from the Cardinal Grosbeak, whose expres- 

 sions it often closely imitates both in power and delivery. 

 I shall never, I believe, forget the soothing satisfaction 

 and amusement I derived from this little constant and 

 unwearied minstrel, my sole vocal companion through 

 many weary miles of a vast, desolate, and otherwise 

 cheerless wilderness. Yet with all his readiness to amuse 

 by his Protean song, the epitome of all he had ever 

 heard, or recollected, he was still studious of conceal- 

 ment, keeping busily engaged near the ground, or in 

 low thickets in quest of his food ; and when he mounted 

 a log or brush pile, which he had just examined, his 

 color, so similar to the fallen leaves and wintry livery of 

 nature, often prevented me from gaining a glimpse of this 

 wonderful and interesting mimic. 



Like the preceding species, he has restless activity, 

 and a love for prying into the darkest corners after his 

 prey, and is particularly attached o the vicinity of 

 rivers and wet places, when not surrounded by gloomy 

 shade. His quick and capricious motions, antic jerks, 

 and elevated tail, resemble the actions of the House 

 Wren. Eager and lively in his contracted flight, 

 before shifting he quickly throws himself forward so as 

 nearly to touch his perch previous to springing from his 

 legs. In Tuscaloosa and other towns in Alabama, he 

 appeared frequently upon the tops of the barns and out- 

 houses, delivering with energy his varied and desultory 

 lay. At Tallahassee, in West Florida, I observed one 

 of these birds chanting near the door of a cottage, and 

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