480 Birds of Colorado 



The western form of the Mocking-bird differs from the eastern bird 

 only in its slightly larger average size and relatively shorter tail. 



Distribution. — South-western United States and INIexico from Texas 

 to California, and Wyoming to Vera Cruz, breeding throughout the 

 greater part of its range, though not wintering in the northern portion. 



In Colorado the Mocking-bird is a fairly common smnmer resident, 

 especially in the southern part of the State, both in the plains and at 

 low elevations. It seldom goes above 7,000 feet. It arrives frona 

 the south about the last week in April, and nests about a month or 

 six weeks later, departing south again in September. It is not known 

 to winter in the State. The following are migration records : Fort 

 Lyon, April 17th (Cooke), Pueblo, April 25th (Lowe), Salida, May 4th 

 (Frey), Baca co., May 1st (Warren), El Paso co.. May 2nd (Aiken 

 collection). The breeding records are : Fort Collins (Cooke),' Evans, 

 Weld CO. (Eggs in Colo. Coll. Mas.), Boulder co. (Gale), Platte River, 

 near Denver (Say), Ramah and Pueblo (Aiken), La Plata co. (Morrison), 

 Grand Junction (Rockwell). It has been exceptionally met with as 

 high as Breckenridge, 9,700 feet, by Carter. 



Habits. — ^The Mocking-bird is justly celebrated for 

 its vocal powers and its ability to imitate the notes of 

 other birds ; in this respect the western form shows 

 no falHng off, though perhaps less known, because less 

 common. It is also noted for its attachment to its home, 

 returning year after year to the same spot and often 

 making use of the same nest after effecting repairs. In 

 summer it chiefly feeds on insects and worms, and obtains 

 these on or near the ground, but later on it prefers soft 

 fruits and berries, grapes and raspberries being the 

 favourites. The nest is frequently placed in a cactus 

 bush where these are to be found, but willows and other 

 low trees and bushes are also used. 



Dennis Gale describes the nest as being formed of 

 dry twigs of greasewood, fixed upon or between the 

 twigs of a horizontal bough, and rather loosely put 

 together, so that it falls apart when removed. The 

 lining is of fine roots and horsehair ; he states that the 

 bulk of the nests he has examined are old ones, in which 



