86 



THRUSHES (TURDUS), 



AND 



CHATTERERS (AMPELIS). 



This Case contains about 40 species of the Thrushes 

 and Chatterers, The first are not remarkable in ge- 

 neral for the splendour of plumage, though some 

 strong exceptions will be observed in this collection ; 

 but the richness of their melody makes ample amends. 

 One species, the Mocking Bird of America (Turdus 

 Polyglottus), deserves particular notice ; without any 

 exterior attractions, it possesses faculties which ren- 

 der it one of the greatest objects of curiosity and ad- 

 miration among the feathered tribes. It is about the 

 size of a Thrush. Its natural notes are musical and 

 solemn ; but it likewise possesses the singular power 

 of assuming the tones of every other animal, whe- 

 ther quadruped or bird. It seems to divert itself with 

 alternately alluring or terrifying other birds, and to 

 sport with their hopes and their fears. Sometimes it en- 

 tices them with ihe call of their mates, and on their 

 approach terrifies them with the scream of the eagle, 

 or some other bird of prey. It frequents the habita- 

 tions of mankind, and is easily domesticated; it builds- 

 its nest in the fruit trees, near the houses of the plan- 

 ters j and sitting sometimes most of the night on the 



