THE MOCKING-BIUD. 



65 



The Mocking-bird (Orpheus Polyglottus). 



the preference. A solitary thornbush ; an almost 

 impenetrable thicket; an orange-tree, cedar, or 

 hollybush, are favourite spots and frequently select- 

 ed. It is no great objection with him that these 

 happen sometimes to be near the farm or mansion 

 house : always ready to defend, but never over-anx- 

 ious to conceal, his nest, he very often builds within 

 a small distance of the house, and not unfrequently 

 in a pear or apple tree, rarely at a greater height 

 than six or seven feet from the ground. The nest 

 varies a little with different individuals, according to 

 the convenience of collecting suitable materials. 

 A very complete one is now lying before me, and is 

 composed of the following substances. First a 

 quantity of dry twigs and sticks, then withered tops 

 of weeds of the preceding year, intermixed with fine 

 F 2 



