190 SINGING BIRDS. 



of the Brown Thrush, to whom he is so nearly related in form, 

 habits, and manners ; but, like rude from cultivated genius, his 

 notes are distinguished by the rapidity of their dehvery, their 

 variety, sweetness, and energy. As if conscious of his unri- 

 valled powers of song, and animated by the harmony of his 

 own voice, his music is, as it were, accompanied by chromatic 

 dancing and expressive gestures ; he spreads and closes his 

 light and fanning wings, expands his silvered tail, and with 

 buoyant gayety and enthusiastic ecstasy he sweeps around, and 

 mounts and descends into the air from his lofty spray as his 

 song swells to loudness or dies away in sinking whispers* 

 While thus engaged, so various is his talent that it might be 

 supposed a trial of skill from all the assembled birds of the 

 country; and so perfect are his imitations that even the 

 sportsman is at times deceived, and sent in quest of birds that 

 have no existence around him. The feathered tribes them- 

 selves are decoyed by the fancied call of their mates, or dive 

 with fear into the close thicket at the well-feigned scream of 

 the Hawk. 



Soon reconciled to the usurping fancy of man, the Mocking 

 Bird often becomes familiar with his master; playfully attacks 

 him through the bars of his cage, or at large in a room ; rest- 

 less and capricious, he seems to try every expedient of a lively 

 imagination that may conduce to his amusement. Nothing 

 escapes his discerning and intelligent eye or faithful ear. He 

 whistles perhaps for the dog, who, deceived, runs to meet his 

 master; the cries of the chicken in distress bring out the 

 clucking mother to the protection of her brood. The barking 

 of the dog, the piteous wailing of the puppy, the mewing of 

 the cat, the action of a saw, or the creaking of a wheelbarrow, 

 quickly follow with exactness. He repeats a tune of consider- 

 able length ; imitates the warbling of the Canary, the lisping 

 of the Indigo Bird, and the mellow whistle of the Cardinal, in 

 a manner so superior to the originals that, mortified and aston- 

 ished, they withdraw from his presence, or listen in silence as 

 he continues to triumph by renewing his efforts. 



In the cage also, nearly as in the woods, he is full of life and 

 action while engaged in song, throwing himself round with in- 



