MOCKING BIRD NIGHTINGALE. 5 



that moment, nor was a joyous note ever heard 

 from it afterwards. 



Wishing to test the powers of the mocking-bird 

 still further, an unusually large price was given for 

 a black-bird, celebrated for its vocal powers. It 

 was placed in the same room with the mocking- 

 bird ; early on the second morning, its song 

 was resumed, and its charming notes were war- 

 bled forth with all the sweetness and modulations, 

 which may be heard in its native " thorny brakes." 

 The mocking-bird listened, and was silent for 

 some time, then all at once the blackbird's notes 

 were heard to issue forth, but sweeter and louder 

 than those of the woodland songster. The poor 

 blackbird heard them, felt that it was conquered, 

 remained silent, drooped, pined and died. 



From the above facts, emulation would seem to 

 be one of the existing causes of the song of birds. 

 When their powers are excelled, they appear to 

 feel the disgrace of being conquered, and to lose 

 all inclination to renew their former efforts. When 

 the Nightingale first arrives, which is generally 

 about the first week in April, it immediately 

 begins to sing its song of love, in order to attract 

 the notice of the female, whose appearance takes 

 place sometimes three weeks after that of the 

 male, as was the case this spring (1843). At this 

 time, two nightingales may be heard pouring 

 forth their delightful notes, both day and night, 



