50 NORlfT AMKRK'AX lURDS. 



manifested in this iininonse series is really suquisin*,' ; we ran tliscover 

 no (liUeience of color tliat doi's not «le]M'n(l on a^'»», sex, season, or the 

 in<livi(lnal thouuli tlie variations of the latter kind are exceedin<dv rare, 

 and wIhmi noticed, very sli^jht). Althouudi the Jiver.ij^e of Western speci- 

 mens liave slijj;htly lonj^er tails than Kastern, a Florida example (Xo. 

 54,8r)(>,^, Knterprise, Feh. ID), has a tail as lonjjf as that of the hnij^est- 

 tailed Western one (Xo. 8,l()r>, Fort Ynma, (Jila lliver, Dec). Specimens 

 from ('(dima, Miradia-, Orizaba, and Mazatlan are (piite identical with 

 Xorthern ones. 



Haihts. The Mockin^-P>ird is distrihnted on the Atlantic coast, from 

 Alassachnsetts to Florida, and is also found to the Pacific. On the latter 

 coast it exhibits certain variations in forms, but hardly enoujj;h to sei)arate it 

 as a distinct sj»ecies. It is by no means a conunon bird in N'^ew England, 

 but instances of its breeding,' as far north as Springfield, Mass , are of con- 

 stant occurrence, and a single individual was seen by ^fr. IJoardman near 

 Calais, ^fe. It is met with every year, more or less frejpiently, on Long 

 Island, and is more common, but bv no means abundant, in New Jersey. It 

 is found abundantly in every Southern State, and throughout Mexico. It 

 has also been taken near (Jrinnell, Tr)wa. 



A warm climate, a low country, and the vicinity of the sea appear to be 

 most congenial to their nature. Wilson found tliem less numerous west of 

 the Alleghany than on the eastern side, in the same itarallels. Throughout 

 the winter he met with them in the Southern States, feeding on the hemes of 

 tlie red cedar, myrtle, holly, etc., with which the swampy thickets abounded. 

 Tliey feed also upon winged insects, which they are very expert in catching. 

 In Louisiana tliey remain throughout the entire year, Jipproaching farm- 

 houses and plantations in the winter, and living about the gardens and out- 

 honses. Tliey miiy l)e frequently seen perched upon the roofs of houses and 

 on the chimney-tops, and are always full of life and animation. AVhen the 

 weather is mild the old males may l)e heard singing with as much spirit as 

 in the spring or summer. They are much more familiar than in the more 

 northern States. In Georgia they do not begin to sing until February. 



The yocal powers of the ]\Iocking-Bird exceed, both in their imitative 

 notes and in their natnral song, those of any other species. Their yoice is 

 full, strong, and musical, and capable of an almost endless variation in mod- 

 ulation. The wild scream of the Eagle and the soft notes of the Bluebird 

 are repeated with exactness and with api)arently eciual facility, while both in 

 force and sweetness the Blocking-Bird will often improve upon the original. 



The song of the Mocking-Bird is not altogether imitative. His natural 

 notes are bold, rich, and full, and are varied almost without limitation. 

 They are frequently interspersed with imitations, and both are uttered with 

 a ra]>idity and emphasis that can hardly be equalled. 



The BIockin«:-Bird readily becomes accustomed to confinement, and loses 

 little of the power, energy, or variety of its song, but often nnich of its sweet- 



