82 THE WILDERNESS HUNTER. 



compare. But in volume and continuity, in 

 tuneful, voluble, rapid outpouring and ardor, 

 above all in skilful and intricate variation of 

 theme, its song far surpasses that of either of 

 the thrushes. In all these respects it is more 

 just to compare it with the mocking-bird's, 

 which, as a rule, likewise falls short precisely 

 on those points where the songs of the two 

 thrushes excel. 



The mocking-bird is a singer that has suf- 

 fered much in reputation from its powers of 

 mimicry. On ordinary occasions, and espe- 

 cially in the daytime, it insists on playing the 

 harlequin. But when free in its own favorite 

 haunts at night in the love season it has a 

 song, or rather songs, which are not only 

 purely original, but are also more beautiful 

 than any other bird music whatsoever. Once 

 I listened to a mocking-bird singing the live- 

 long spring night, under the full moon, in a 

 magnolia tree ; and I do not think I shall 

 ever forget its song. 



It was on the plantation of Major Camp- 

 bell Brown, near Nashville, in the beautiful, 

 fertile mid-Tennessee country. The mocking- 

 birds were prime favorites on the place ; and 

 were given full scope for the development, 

 not only of their bold friendliness towards 

 mankind, but also of that marked individual- 

 ity and originality of character in which they 

 so far surpass every other bird as to become 

 the most interesting of all feathered folk. 

 One of the mockers, which lived in the hedge 

 bordering the garden, was constantly engaged 

 in an amusing feud with an honest old setter 

 dog, the point of attack being the tip of the 



