THE MOCKING BIRD 295 



another until he had sung the songs of all. "When the vote 

 was taken he was chosen by common acclaim the greatest 

 singer of them all, for all acknowledged that not only 

 could he sing as well as others but could sing their own 

 eongs better than they themselves could sing them. 



This legend isn't so far from the truth, for while the 

 mocking bird really has no fine song of his own, he is the 

 greatest mimic in the world. 



For a number of years a mocking bird nested within a 

 few yards of my window. We became well acquainted, and 

 a wag he proved himself to be. In the springtime, when 

 the mother is breeding, the mocking bird seems too happy 

 to think of anything but song. All day long he sits on 

 some limb and sings his heart out. Thus far he is not 

 much different from other birds, but when the sun goes 

 down and most of the others creep off to sleep, the mocking 

 bird seems to feel that it is his duty to make up the de- 

 ficiency by singing all the longer and louder. Any time 

 that I waken during the months of April, May, and early 

 June I can hear my mocking bird singing, and it is in the 

 night that he manifests his roguish spirit most clearly. 



I used to raise Chinese geese, and in the springtime 

 usually had a few valuable goslings about the house which 

 I always shut up carefully at night lest disaster overtake 

 them. I never knew how friend mocking bird learned of 

 the great interest I took in these goslings, but certain it 

 is that before they were a week old, about the time I 

 would fall into the soundest sleep I was sure to be awak- 

 ened by the voice of little goslings. I would listen a while 

 doubting my ears and trying to distinguish some false 

 note, but usually ended by going out to catch my stray 

 goslings. Sure enough the noise would be coming from 



