600 HISTORY OF THE 



ated; the feathers stiff, rather narrow, especially the outer webs; lateral feathers 

 about three-quarters of au inch the shorter In the type. Tarsi longer than 

 middle toe and claw by rather less than au additional claw; tarsi conspicuously 

 and strongly scutellate; broad plates seven." 



Mimus polyglottos (Linn,). 



MOCKINGBIRD. 

 PLATE XXXIV. 



Summer resident; quite common. Arrive the middle of April 

 to first of May; begin laying about the 20tli of May. A hardy 

 bird, that often remains until late in the fall. 



B. 253, 253a. K. 11, C. 15, G, 7, 306, U. 703. 



Habitat. United States; north to Massachusetts, southern 

 Iowa, southern Wyoming, etc. ; rare north of latitude 40°; breeds 

 throughout its range; resident from about latitude 36° south- 

 ward into southern Mexico, 



Sp. Char. "Third and fourth qnills longest; second about equal to eighth: 

 the first half, or more than half, the second. Tail considerably graduated. 

 Above, ashy brown, the feathers very obsoletely darker centrally and towards 

 the light plumbeous downy basal portion (scarcely appreciable, except when the 

 feathers are lifted). The under parts are white, with a faint brownish tinge 

 (except on the chin), and with a shade of ash across the breast. There is a pale 

 superciliary stripe, but the lores are dusky. The wings and tail are dark brown, 

 nearly black, except the lesser wing coverts, which are like the back; the middle 

 and greater tipped with white, forming two bands; the basal portion of the pri- 

 maries white; most extended on the inner primaries. The outer tail feather is 

 white, sometimes a little mottled; the second is mostly white, except on the 

 outer web and toward the base; the third with a white spot on the end; the rest, 

 except the middle, very slightly or not at all tipped with white. Young: Similar, 

 but distinctly spotted with dusky on the breast, and obsoletely on the back." 



stretch of 

 Length. wing. 



Male 10.50 14.40 



Female... 9.50 14.00 



Iris light brown; bill black, with forks of under yellowish; 

 legs, feet and claws black; the back of tarsi usually yellowish. 



This unrivaled songster, so much praised as a cage bird, pre- 

 fers for its haunts the scattering, shrubby trees upon the prairies 

 or open lands, and shade trees about our dwellings; a familiar 

 bird, that seeks rather than avoids the habitations of man. A 

 great favorite, welcomed not only on account of*its song but for 

 its watchful care over its selected home, where it notes with a 



