326 HABITS OF BIRDS. 



till the wavings of its wings become imperceptible, 

 and finally ceasing-, the little musician remains in 

 the air suspended and motionless, as the kestril 

 (Falco tinnunculus) may be seen to do when it 

 watches for prey. 



" I saw, heard, and admired," says Fernandez, 

 " a small bird brought to Madrid, the queen of all 

 singing birds, that could command any voice or 

 tune. It is not bigger than a starling, white under- 

 neath, brown above, with some black and white 

 feathers intermixed, especially next the tail, and about 

 the head, which is encircled with the likeness of a 

 silver crown. It is kept in cages to delight the ear, 

 and for a natural rarity or rather wonder. It excels 

 all birds in sweetness and variety of song and perfect 

 command of its voice, imitating the note of any sort 

 of bird whatsoever, and excelling its exemplar. It 

 goes far beyond the nightingale. I myself kept it 

 a long time*. 5 ' 



According to Goldsmith, who appears to speak 

 from private information, as he does not here, as 

 usual, translate nor follow Buffon, the mocking-bird 

 " is possessed not only of its own natural notes, 

 which are musical and solemn, but it can assume 

 the tone of every other animal in the wood, from 

 the wolf to the raven. It seems even to sport itself 

 in leading them astray. It will at one time allure 

 the lesser birds with the call of their mates, and 

 then terrify them, when they have come near, with 

 the screams of the eagle. There is no bird in the 

 forest but it can mimic, and there is none that it has 

 not at times deceived by its call. But, riot like 

 such as we usually see tamed for mimicking with 

 us, and who have no particular merit of their own, 

 the mock-bird is ever surest to please when it is 

 most itself. At those times it usually frequents the 

 houses of the American planters; and, sitting all 

 * Hist. Anim. Nov. Hisp. 



