50 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



manifested in this immense series is really surprising ; we can discover 

 no difference of color that does not depend on age, sex, season, or the 

 individual (though tlie variations of tlie latter kind are exceedingly rare, 

 and when noticed, very slight). Although the average of Western speci- 

 mens have slightly longer tails than Eastern, a Florida example (No. 

 54,850, J, Enterj)rise, Feb. 19), has a tail as long as that of the longest- 

 tailed Western one (No. 8,165, Fort Yuma, Gila Eiver, Dec). Specimens 

 from Colima, Mirador, Orizaba, and Mazatlan are quite identical with 

 Northern ones. 



Habits. The Mocking-Bird is distributed on the Atlantic coast, from 

 Massachusetts to Florida, and is also found to the Pacific. On the latter 

 coast it exhibits certain variations in forms, but hardly enough to separate it 

 as a distinct species. It is by no means a common bird in New England, 

 but instances of its breeding as far north as Springfield, Mass., are of con- 

 stant occurrence, and a single individual was seen by Mr. Boardman near 

 Calais, Me. It is met with every year, more or less frequently, on Long 

 Island, and is more common, but by no means abundant, in New Jersey. It 

 is found abundantly in every Southern State, and throughout Mexico. It 

 has also been taken near Grinnell, Iowa. 



A warm climate, a low country, and the vicinity of the sea appear to be 

 most congenial to their nature. Wilson found tliem less numerous west of 

 the Allegliany than on the eastern side, in the same parallels. Throughout 

 the winter he met with them in the Soutliern States, feeding on the berries of 

 the red cedar, myrtle, holly, etc., with which the swampy thickets abounded. 

 They feed also upon winged insects, which they are very expert in catching. 

 In Louisiana they remain throughout the entire year, approaching farm- 

 houses and plantations in the winter, and living about the gardens and out- 

 houses. They may be frequently seen perched upon the roofs of houses and 

 on the chimney-tops, and are always full of life and animation. When the 

 weather is mild the old males may be heard singing with as much spirit as 

 in the spring or summer. They are much more familiar than in the more 

 nortliern States. In Georgia they do not begin to sing until February. 



The vocal powers of the Mocking-Bird exceed, both in their imitative 

 notes and in their natural song, those of any other species. Their voice is 

 full, strong, and musical, and capable of an almost endless variation in mod- 

 ulation. The wild scream of the Eagle and the soft notes of the Bluebird 

 are repeated with exactness and with apparently equal facility, while both in 

 force and sweetness the Mocking-Bird will often improve upon the original. 



The song of the Mocking-Bird is not altogether imitative. His natural 

 notes are bold, rich, and full, and are varied almost without limitation. 

 They are frequently interspersed with imitations, and both are uttered with 

 a rapidity and emphasis that can hardly be equalled. 



The Mocking-Bird readily becomes accustomed to confinement, and loses 

 little of tlie power, energy, or variety of its song, but often much of its sweet- 



