18 MIMUS POLYGLOTTUS. 



These birds are quite epicures in their way, and not only eat prickly pears, but feed upon 

 oranges, the berries of the palmetto, and other small fruits. They also eat worms, beetles, flies, 

 and the larvce of other insects. I have found the stomach of a single individual crammed with 

 nearly all these articles of food, with the addition of a tonic in the shape of small pebbles or 

 pieces of shells. On account of this changeable diet it is difiicult to make specimens, taken 

 when adult, live in confinement ; they must be captured when quite young, and thus become 

 accustomed to such food as can be readily procured for them. When they are brought north, 

 however, the change of climate destroys a great many; but they arc more easily kept in the 

 south, and nearly every one who has a taste for pets possesses one or more. I visited a 

 museum at Savannah, Georgia, in which living animals were exhibited ; and where among other 

 attractions was an immense cage iu which were many species of small birds, including several 

 Mocking Birds, one of which behaved in a very odd manner. It would fly violently at my hand 

 when I placed it against the bars of the cage, twittering angrily, and would not be satisfied until 

 I withdrew it. It paid no attention to the keeper, however, who informed us that it always 

 assailed strangers in this way. Individuals in a state of nature also appear to have eccentric 

 habits ; I knew one that had taken a fancy to perch on the top of an old stub, and which 

 was always found there at certain times during the day. If driven away it would return when 

 we had moved to a little distance. Indeed it seems to be a general habit with this species to 

 perch on some elevated situation ; in this they resemble the Shrikes, and their method of flight 

 is similar, being slow but steady. 



The breeding season in Florida is about the first of April, but the young were barely hatched 

 at Wilmington, North Carolina, in the last week in May. In Florida the nests are usually 

 placed in orange trees within a few feet of the ground, and often quite near dwellings. Indeed, 

 I once found one within five yards of an inhabited negro shanty. The birds would alight upon 

 the tree without the slightest apparent fear, although I stood at the foot of it; in fact I have 

 always found this species unsuspicious when in the vicinity of habitations, but in the wilder 

 sections they are shy, and extremely difficult to approach. 



Contrary to the usual habits of birds I have never known these to sing their full song 

 previous to the season of incubation. In winter they are generally silent, having only some 

 harsh alarm notes ; but as spring advances they commence a low sputtering song, as if they had 

 not yet acquired sufficient energy to render it loud and clear. I heard them singing in this 

 manner at Jacksonville, while they were building their nests, and for a long time was under the 

 impression that the Mocking Birds of Florida could not sing as well as those from Virginia. I 

 frequently questioned the inhabitants about this peculiarity, when they always informed me that 

 the birds could sing very finely, and were indignant when I told them that I had heard better 

 songs from caged birds at the north. I was not undeceived upon this point until I visited Lake 

 Harney, in the latter part of May, 1872. We had crossed the portage from Indian River, where 

 these birds are not very common during the breeding season, and had arrived at Lake Harney 

 after dark. We pitched our tents by the side of a palmetto grove, and retiring slept soundly after 

 our fatiguing journey, but were awakened in the morning by what seemed a perfect concert of 

 bird voices, which, as they came from one point, we knew must be produced by a single 

 individual ; but it was not until I had satisfied myself by actual inspection that I would believe 

 it to be a Mocking Bird ; and when we perceived it was so we paused in amazement to listen. The 

 clear, mellow whistle of the Red Bird, the garrulous notes of the Jay, the continuous warble of 

 the Great Carolina Wren, Bob White's abrupt call, the low but lovely song of the Pine-wood 

 Finch, followed by the harsh scream of the Hawk, were all mingled, without system, with strains 

 of his own, and those of many other birds, but in such a manner, and were given with such 

 power, that the effect was surpassingly fine. He had even caught the Bobolink's fragmentary 

 attempts, which it first practices while passing northward, and incorporated this into its lay, in 



