84 SYLVAN SECRETS, 



gale and the mocking-bird are insignificant 

 physically, when compared with the ostrich, 

 the condor, and the crane. The entire skull 

 of the mocking-bird is no larger than the end 

 of one's thumb, and its brain will weigh 

 about one-quarter of an ounce. No great 

 scope of intelligence could be expected in 

 such a case; but we must admit that, in a 

 slender way, this brain is amazingly devel- 

 oped and balanced, and that, compared with 

 man's, it is proportionately the more power- 

 ful and under far better control. If a quar- 

 ter-ounce brain can shape a bird-voice so as 

 to captivate the imagination of man through- 

 out the ages, what ought a brain of ninety- 

 two cubic inches do with an equal opportu- 

 nity ? Like the musician of old, it should set 

 the very trees to dancing. 



