MOCKING-BIRD 583 
aberrant Turdidx, the former possessing tarsi anteriorly scutellate, 
while the latter are characterized by having the tarsal theca fused 
into one solid, smooth sheath in front. Itis as well to observe here, 
however, that in Galeoscoptes the scutelle of the tarsus are sometimes 
quite obsolete. Osteologically the Miminx, 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 94 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 
Turdide. 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 38th 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 
(Bascaniwm constrictor), which is very partial to the eggs and young 
of this and other birds. These attacks are met by J/imus with 
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