PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS 91 



the songs of birds, and each locality has its par- 

 ticular type of music. The mocking-bird of Flor- 

 ida, for instance, sings in quite a different way 

 from his Texas brother, although both are musi- 

 cians of great talent, and neither might be said to 

 be inferior to the other in either quality of note or 

 execution. 



Birds sing their loudest and sweetest during the 

 mating season. Every bird must have some special 

 art to rely on in his love-making, and music is used 

 more than any other resource. The true bird- 

 musician pours out his heart in passionate melody 

 to the object of his adoration, and any sign of fa- 

 vour from her brings forth still greater efforts. 



The most fascinating feature of bird-song is the 

 mimicry so common to many bird musicians. 

 Among the mimics who are professional vocalists 

 the mocking-bird has the first place. He mimics 

 every sound imaginable, from that of running wa- 

 ter to the most difficult and complicated notes of 

 the flute. In many cases he improves upon the 

 sound he imitates. A mocking-bird can sing the 

 cardinal's song far better than the cardinal can 

 sing it, and give the alarm cry of the sparrow with 

 more effect than its originator. 



Some mimics appear to repeat the notes of other 

 birds merely to increase their own songs; others, 



