PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS 93 



from the song of the cardinal ; a third followed the 

 thrush as a master; and each one is a singer of re- 

 markable skill and value. 



The mocking-bird of the United States is the 

 king of all songsters. He is one of the greatest 

 attractions of the Southland, where during the 

 spring and summer the very atmosphere is filled 

 with his exuberant music. His voice seems to be 

 the voice of orange blossoms, magnolias, and sweet- 

 smelling honeysuckles and roses; and among them 

 he sings joyously day and night. No description 

 of this wonderful musician can convey any idea 

 of his song. One might as well attempt to describe 

 a Tetrazinni solo or an Albert Spaulding recital, 

 as to try to give any impression of the marvellous 

 beauty and charm of the mocking-bird's renditions. 



The mocking-bird seems to take little time for 

 rest during the spring and summer, for he sings 

 and works all day, and sings and plays nearly all 

 night. He is so filled with joy that he leaps and 

 tumbles in the air as he sings, like a clown in an 

 opera. Apparently he is greatly influenced by the 

 bright moonlight, as he performs his most aston- 

 ishing feats of tumbling and singing then. 



He takes special delight in imitating every 

 sound he hears, and in fooling people and animals 

 nearby ; but, unlike the chat, he does it openly. He 



