THE BIRD BOOK 



703. 



MOCKINGBIRD. 

 polyglottos 



Mimus polyglottos 



Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, 

 north to New Jersey and Illinois. 



These noted birds are 

 very common in the south 

 where they are found, and 

 nest about houses in open 

 woods, fields, and along 

 roadways; their nests are 

 rude, bulky structures of 

 twigs, grasses, leaves, etc., 



placed in trees or bushes Dull greenish blue 

 at low elevations; the three to five eggs are 

 usually dull greenish blue, boldly spotted with 

 brownish. Size .95 x .72. 



703a. WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD. Mimus 

 polyglottos leucopterus. 



Range. Southwestern United States from 

 Texas to California, and southward. 



This subspecies is as common in its range, 

 and its habits are the same as those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs 

 are identical with those of the last, and like that variety they frequently nest 

 in odd places as do all common birds when they become familiar with civili- 

 zation. 



Mockingbird 



704*. CATBIRD. Dumetella carolinensis. 



Range. North America, breeding from the 

 Gulf States to the Saskatchewan; rare on the 

 Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and 

 southward. 



This well known mimic is abundant in the 

 temperate portions of its range, frequenting 

 open woods, swamps, hill- 

 sides and hedges. Their 

 nests are usually low 

 down in bushes or trees, 

 and are constructed simi- 

 larly to those of the Mock- 

 ingbird, of twigs and root- 

 lets; a tangled mass of 

 vines and briers is a fa Bluish green 

 vorite place for them to locate their home. 

 Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May 

 or during June, and are from three to five in 

 number and a bright bluish green in color, 

 unmarked. Size .95 x .70. 



420 



