BIRDS OF THE NIGHT. 205 



As an original songster, estimated by the notes which 

 on rare occasions he pours out in a serious mood from his 

 own favorite spot and during his favorite hour, which 

 is the earliest dawn, the Mocking-Bird is probably un- 

 equalled by any American songster. His notes are loud, 

 varied, melodious, and of great compass. They may be 

 likened to those of the Red-Thrush, more forcibly deliv- 

 ered, and having more flute-notes and fewer guttural 

 notes and sudden transitions. He also sings often on 

 the wing, and with fervor, while the other Thrushes sing 

 only from their perch. But his song has less variety than 

 that of the Red-Thrush, and falls short of it in some 

 other respects. The Red-Thrush, however, has too little 

 persistence in his singing. 



By other writers the Mocking-Bird is put forward as 

 superior to the Nightingale. This assumption might be 

 worthy of consideration, if the American bird were not 

 addicted to mimicry. This execrable habit renders him 

 unfit to be compared with the Nightingale, whose song 

 also resembles that of a Finch more than that of a 

 Thrush. His mocking habits almost annihilate his value 

 as a songster ; as the effect of a concert would be spoiled 

 if the players were constantly introducing, in the midst 

 of their serious music, snatches of vulgar and ridiculous 

 tunes and uncouth sounds. 



TO THE MOCKING-BIRD. 



CAROLLING bird, that merrily night and day 

 Tellest thy raptures from the rustling spray, 

 And wakest the morning with thy varied lay, 



Singing thy matins ; 



When we have come to hear thy sweet oblation 

 Of love and joyance from thy sylvan station, 

 Why in the place of musical cantation 



Balk us with pratings ? 



