22 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



(who vouches for its authenticity) of a gentle- 

 man who possessed an American mocking-bird, 

 in such health and vigour, that it was either con- 

 stantly singing, or else imitating the various 

 sounds it heard. In order to tiy the powers of 

 this bird its owner purchased a fine sky-lark. 

 When placed in the same room with the mocking- 

 bird, its song was heard to echo through the 

 house. The other was silent for some time after 

 the thrilling carol had ceased : at last it burst 

 forth in the strains of the " aerial songster," but 

 louder and clearer, as if mounting, and stretching 

 its wings heavenward. The lark was silent from 

 that moment, nor was it ever heard to utter a 

 joyous note afterwards. Wishing to test the 

 powers of the mocking-bird still further, the 

 gentleman purchased a blackbird, celebrated for 

 its vocal powers. Early on the morning of the 

 second day after it was placed in the room with 

 the mocking-bird, its charming notes were warbled 

 forth with all the sweetness and modulations which 

 may be heard in its native " thorny brakes." 

 The stranger bird listened, and was still for some 

 time ; then, all at once he began to give forth 

 the blackbird's notes ; but even sweeter and louder 

 than those of the woodland songster. . The poor 

 blackbird heard them, felt that it was conquered, 

 remained silent, drooped, pined, and died. 



