The Mocltiny Bird. 



225 



THE MOCKING BIED, (Turdus polyglottus,) 



WHICH is also a species, is found in both North and 

 South America, and in the West Indian islands. He 

 has a beautiful song, which he varies by imitating the 

 notes of almost all other birds, so that a person passing 

 by his haunt is regaled with a complete ornithological 

 concert, all by a single performer. Unfortunately, the 

 Mocking Bird's taste is not equal to his musical powers. 

 His talent for imitation is so great that he mimics every 

 sound he hears, and as he introduces all his imitations 

 freely into his songs, he often interrupts the most de- 

 lightful melody with the scream of a hawk, the bark 

 of a dog, the squalling of a cat, or similar discordant 

 noises. 



