BIKDS. 24.5 



Tbis valuable bird does not seem to vie with tin' feathered 

 inhubitants of that country in the beauty of its plumage, content 

 with qualifications that endear it to mankind much more. It is 

 but a plain bird to the eye, about the size of a thrush, of a white 

 and grey colour, and a reddish bill. It 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 males, 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, de- 

 ceived by its call. But, not like such as we usually see famed 

 for mimicking with us, and which have no particular merit of their 

 own, the mock-bird is ever surest to please when it is most it- 

 self. At those times it usually frequents the houses of the 

 American planters ; and, sitting all night on the chinuiey-top, 

 pours forth the sweetest and the most various notes of any bird 

 whatever. It would seem, if accounts be true, that the deficiency 

 of most other song-birds in that country, is made up by this bird 

 alone. They often build their nests in the fruit trees about 

 houses, feed upon berries and other fruits, and are easily ren- 

 dered domestic* 



* Of the Ajnerican song birds, tlio Tlirusli genus seems to hold the cliicf 

 rank, there being at least four species distinguished for tlicir notes, among- 

 whirh is the Moi-kini,'--hird. 



The Brown Thrush, sometimes called the Thrasher, or French IMocking 

 bird. Is the largest of the genus. His song is loud, emphatic, and full of 

 variety ; and, in a serene morning, when the wind is hushed, and before the 

 " busy lium of men " begins, his voice may be distinguished at the distance of 

 h:ilf a mile. His notes are not imitative, as some have erroneously suppos. 

 ed, but are wholly his own, and bear a very considerable resemblance to 

 those of the European song thrush. 



The Misiratory, or Red-breasted, Tlu-iish is an early songster, frequently 

 commencing in JIarch, before the snow has disappeared. One or two in. 

 dividuals usually taking the lead, by leaving the Hod; and perching on a 

 stake or fence, to begin tlie prelude to the general concert. His song is not 

 a bad imitation of the notes of the preceding, but, though inferior to the 

 brown thrush in execution, it is more simple, and what is deficient in tuh-nt 

 is amply made up in zealous enthusiasm ; so that his song is universally liked: 

 snd lie is often, on that account, kept in cages. 



The Wood llirush is a sweet and solitary songster. He chooses his sta- 

 tion, at dawn, on the top of a tall tree, that rises from a \cw, tliick, shaded 



