32 



Pine Warbler. 



Bayberries and suet have been known to attract this yellow- 

 breasted species, which winters rarely in southeastern Massa- 

 chusetts. It is found there chiefly in pitch pines. 



Mockinghird. 

 From the sea to the valley of the Connecticut, and more 

 rarely in the western counties, the mockingbird appears to be 

 a local resident in Massachusetts. The recent severe winter 

 (1917-18) has much reduced its numbers, but if it is well fed 

 and cared for by its "many friends it should increase. So far as 

 my investigations go, there is no evidence that mockingbirds 

 in Massachusetts eat seeds for food purposes. They swallow 

 many seeds in fresh or dried fruits, but digest only the outer, 

 covering or pulp, or a part of it, and regurgitate the seeds and 

 the tougher skins. Therefore they may be fed in winter by 

 using dried wild fruits or fruits remaining on the stem. Mr. H. 

 H. Henderson of Wilmington, Ohio, noted that a mockingbird 

 at the feeding table in winter ate walnuts, crumbs and suet.^ 

 Hard-boiled eggs, omelette and boiled rice mixed with egg are 

 sometimes taken by this bird, and it is very fond of chopped 

 figs. Dried elderberries, raspberries, blackberries and mul- 

 berries probably would attract it, as it is fond of these fruits. 

 If nothing else is at hand chopped apple may be used in winter. 

 Probably a variety of wild fruits that remain on the stem all 

 winter would act as a strong lure to this bird, as one has win- 

 tered for several seasons at the Arnold Arboretum at Boston, 

 where there is a diversity of fruiting shrubs and trees. The 

 berries of the different species of holly and cornel, smilax, 

 Virginia creeper, the black alder, juniper, sumac, buckthorn, 

 the poison ivy, bittersweet and bayberry, and also rose hips, 

 are sought by it in winter. In Massachusetts it has developed 

 a great liking for the Japanese barberry, which in some locali- 

 ties it seems to prefer in winter to native wild fruits. IVIrs. 

 Wm. F. Eldredge says that a mockingbird seemed to prefer 

 frosted decaying apples to any food offered. In 1918 Mr. 

 Sidney Chase at Nantucket fed a mockingbird on figs, cut in 



I "Bird-Lore," Vol. XIX.. September-October, 1917, p. 270. 



