146 PASSERES. TURDID^. 



" It is remarkable," observes Mr. Hill, " that in 

 those serenades and midnight solos, which have 

 obtained for the Mocking-bird the name of the 

 Nightingale, and which he commences with a rapid 

 stammering prelude, as if he had awaked, frightened 

 out of sleep, he never sings his songs of mimicry ; 

 his music at this time is his own. It is full of 

 variety, with a fine compass, but less mingled and 

 more equable than by day, as if the minstrel felt 

 that the sober-seeming of the night required a 

 solemnity of music peculiarly its own. The night- 

 song of the Mocking-bird, though in many of its 

 modulations it reminds us of that of the Nightingale 

 of Europe, has less of volume in it. There is not 

 more variety, but a less frequent repetition of those 

 certain notes of extacy, which give such a peculiar 

 character, and such wild, intense, and all absorbing 

 feeling to the midnight song of the European bird. 

 Though the more regulated quality of the song of 

 our Nightingale is less calculated to create surprise, 

 it is the more fitted to soothe and console ; and that 

 sensation of melancholy which is said to pervade 

 the . melody of the European minstrel, is sub- 

 stituted in the midnight singing of our bird by one 

 of thoughtful and tranquil delight." 



The nest of the Mocking-bird is not so elaborate 

 a structure as that of many birds. It is built with 

 little attempt at concealment in some bush or low 

 tree, often an orange near the dwelling-house. 

 One now before me, was built in a bunch of plan- 

 tains. It consists of a rude platform of loose twigs, 

 in which are interlaced many shreds of old rags ; 



