88 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 



But unrivalled, perhaps, for powers of melody 

 and grace of motion is the mocking bird, which 

 remains in Louisiana throughout the year. Ar- 

 rayed in his soft plumage, delicately blended, 

 with movements airy as a butterfly, his tail ex- 

 panded, and his lovely wings outspread, he may 

 be seen mounting in the air. Describing a circle 

 around his beloved, he alights and approaches 

 her with beaming delighted eyes. After gently 

 inclining himself, as if courteously bowing, he 

 again soars upward, and pours forth an exulting 

 song of conquest, as if his full breast were about 

 to be rent with delight, his notes flowing more 

 softly and richly than before, in varied mo- 

 dulations of wonderfully brilliant execution. 

 Alighting as at first, he then mounts higher in 

 the air, and glances around with a watchful eye, 

 lest any intruder should mar his bliss. Then 

 gaily dancing through the air, as though to 

 assure his companion of the plenitude of his 

 love, his song flows afresh in imitation of every 

 other warbler of the grove, and may be often 

 heard to mimic, even quadrupeds, with ease. 

 There appears to be no foundation, however, 

 for the assertion of his abihty to imitate the 

 human voice. 



At a certain note from his beloved, the mock- 

 ing bird, in order to know her wishes, ceases his 

 song. They then mutually inspect the sweet- 



