60 Bird-keeping. 



The chin, throat, and under part of the body are of a 

 pale, brown, inclining to grey. The hen has less white 

 upon her wings, and the dark parts of the plumage 

 are less dark than in the cock bird. The length of the 

 Mocking Bird is about nine inches. It is very common 

 in Jamaica and St. Domingo, and there it is called the 

 " Rossignol," from its serenades and midnight solos, 

 which are said to be very sweet and beautiful, and 

 quite free from the mimicry which so often spoils its 

 natural song by day. It is a very fearless bird in de- 

 fence of its nest, and will attack and drive away any 

 intruder who may approach too near to it. Attempts 

 have been made to induce the Mocking Bird to build 

 in confinement, and with good hope of success, if pro- 

 perly managed. In Germany many of these birds 

 have been bred in captivity. A gentleman at Weimar 

 has reared above sixty young ones in the course of ten 

 years. Hard egg and boiled potatoes, and fruit of all 

 kinds, fresh and dried, mealworms, ants' eggs, and a 

 little chopped meat during moulting, are recommended 

 by the German fanciers. 



The GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus galbnld}. This bird 

 belongs to a sub-family of the Thrush tribe. It is a 

 common bird in Italy, and frequents Spain, Provence, 

 and France during the summer months, going to Asia 

 and Africa in the winter. It comes occasionally to 

 England between April and September, and instances 

 have been known of its breeding in this country. Its 



