IMITATION AND MIMICRY. 207 



Nieremberg, and Sir Hans Sloane, it is not satisfied 

 with barely re-echoing the sounds imitated, but 

 gives them a softness and grace not characteristic 

 of the original, for which reason the Mexicans 

 termed it the bird of four hundred tongues (Cencon- 

 tlatolli). These writers also mention its mingling 

 action with its song, accompanying the notes with 

 measured movements expressive of successive 

 emotions. In its preluding, it rises slowly with ex- 

 panded wings, sinking back to the same spot, with 

 its head hanging downward, as the skylark may 

 sometimes be observed to do. When it has ad- 

 vanced farther in the performance, it ascends and 

 descends on the wing in a spiral manner, and if the 

 notes are brisk and lively, it describes in the air 

 circles, crossing in all directions. When the notes 

 are loud and rapid, it flaps its wings with propor- 

 tional rapidity ; and when the notes are unequal it 

 bounds and flutters in unison ; but as it becomes 

 apparently tired of exertion, its tones soften by de- 

 grees, melt into tender strains, and die away in a 

 pause which has a peculiarly fine effect, while at 

 the same time it gradually diminishes its action, 

 glides gently and smoothly above its station tree 

 till the wavings of its wings become imperceptible, 

 and finally ceasing, the little musician remains in 

 the air suspended and motionless, as the kestril 

 (Falco tinnunculus) may be seen to do when it 

 watches for prey. 



" I saw, heard, and admired," says Fernandez, " a 

 small bird brought to Madrid, the queen of all sing- 

 ing birds that could command any voice or tune. 

 It is not bigger than a starling, white underneath, 

 brown above, with some black and white feathers 

 intermixed, especially next the tail and about the 

 head, which is encircled with the likeness of a sil- 

 ver crown. It is kept in cages to delight the ear, 

 and for a natural rarity or rather wonder. It ex- 

 cels all birds in sweetness and variety of song and 



