MOCKING-BIRD 583 



aberrant Turdidse, the former possessing tarsi anteriorly scutellate, 

 while the latter are characterized by having the tarsal theca fused 

 into one solid, smooth sheath in front. It is as well to observe here, 

 however, that in Galeoscoptes the scutellte of the tarsus are sometimes 

 quite obsolete. Osteologically the Mirainse, Thrushes and Wrens 

 possess apparently distinguishing characters of about equal rank and 

 strength, while in some particulars the several genera almost seem 

 to intergrade where the affinities are most closely drawn. From 

 some cause or another, not yet fully determined, adult Mocking- 

 birds vary considerably in size, especially in length, several 

 apparently full-grown males ranging from 9^ to 11 inches; and it 

 is also a well-known fact that they likewise vary greatly in their 

 powers of song. 



Although exceedingly plain in the coloration of his plumage, 

 the Mocking-bird is a strikingly handsome and graceful bird. This 

 is largely due to the ease and elegance of his every movement, his 

 neat appearance, and a certain decisive dignity in all his actions. 

 His eye is full of animation, and his constant bearing full of energy. 

 The sexes differ but little in colour or size, the female being rather 

 browner and at the same time smaller, while young birds are 

 speckled below with dusky, as is the case in the majority of young 

 Tiirdidx. An adult male is of an ashy-grey above, and a dingy 

 white below. A large white space marks the blackish-brown wing, 

 and the outer tail-feathers are also white, the remainder of the 

 tail being black, the feathers tipped with white, the same 

 being graduated from without towards the middle pair of usually 

 wholly black feathers. The bill and feet are likewise black, and 

 the irides of a fine golden cream-colour. In form, the bird is trim 

 and Thrush-like, the tail being rather long and cuneiform. 



The habitat of this species may be said to extend across the 

 entire breadth of the United States, and south into Mexico ; but 

 north of the 3Sth parallel the bird becomes rare. Over this wide 

 range the food of the Mocking-bird varies somewhat, although it 

 may be broadly said that it everywhere consists largely of many of 

 the smaller fruits, insects and some seeds. In some respects its 

 nidification agrees with the typical Thrushes, the nest being placed 

 without much regard to concealment in some bush or low tree ; 

 being bulky, and built of twigs, dried leaves, fine fibrous roots, 

 and sometimes to these are added wool or tow when procurable. 

 The eggs are from four to six, bluish-green in colour, freckled with 

 blotches of various shades of yellowish-brown. Two broods may 

 be reared in the season, and in the southern States sometimes 

 even three. Very often the nest of the Mocking-bird is attacked 

 by various species of snakes, more especially the black -snake 

 (Bascanium constridoi-), which is very partial to the eggs and young 

 of this and other birds. These attacks are met by Mimus with 



