MOCKING-BIRD. 105 



the tail is cuneiform, the two exterior feathers wholly white, the 

 rest, except the middle ones, tipt with white; the chin is white; 

 sides of the neck, breast, belly and vent a brownish white, much 

 purer in wild birds than in those that have been domesticated; 

 iris of the eye yellowish cream coloured, inclining to golden; bill 

 black, the base of the lower mandible whitish; legs and feet 

 black, and strong. The female very much resembles the male; 

 what difference there is has been already pointed out in a pre- 

 ceding part of this account. The breast of the young bird is 

 spotted like that of the Thrush. 



Mr. William Bartram observes of the Mocking-bird, that 

 " formerly, say thirty or forty years ago, they were numerous, 

 " and often staid all winter with us, or the year through, feed- 

 " ing on the berries of ivy, smilax, grapes, persimmons, and 

 " other berries. The ivy (Hedera helex) they were particularly 

 " fond of, though a native of Europe. We have an ancient plant 

 "adhering to the wall of the house, covering many yards of 

 " surface; this vine is very fruitful, and here many would feed 

 " and lodge during the winter, and in very severe cold weather 

 " sit on the top of the chimney to warm themselves." He also 

 adds, " I have observed that the Mocking-bird ejects from his 

 " stomach through his mouth the hard kernels of berries, such 

 " as smilax, grapes, &c. retaining the pulpy part."* 



* Letter from Mr. Bartram to the author. 



VOL. II. O 



