The Audubon Magazine. 



Vol. II. 



APRIL, i; 



No. 



THE MOCKINGBIRD. 



SWEETEST of all the song birds of 

 America, the Mockingbird stands 

 without a rival, perhaps in the world. All 

 who are familiar with its melody and have 

 had an opportunity to compare its powers 

 with those of Old World songsters, agree 

 that it surpasses even the famous nightin- 

 gale in the richness and beauty of its strains. 

 Nuttall says: "With the dawn of morning, 

 while yet the sun lingers below the blushing 

 horizon, our sublime songster, in his native 

 wilds, mounted on the topmost branch of a 

 tall bush or tree in the forest, pours out his 

 admirable song, which amidst the multitude 

 of notes from all the warbling host, still rises 

 preeminent, so that his solo is heard alone, 

 and all the rest of the musical choir appear 

 emploj^ed in mere accompaniments to this 

 grand actor in the sublime opera of nature. 

 Nor is his talent confined to imitation; his 

 native notes are also bold, full, and perpet- 

 ually varied, consisting of short expressions 

 of a few variable syllables, interspersed with 

 imitations, and uttered with great emphasis 

 and volubility, and sometimes for half an 

 hour at a time, with undiminished ardor. 

 These native strains bear a considerable 

 resemblance to those of the brown thrush, 

 to whom he is so nearly related in form, 

 habits and manners; but, like rude from cul- 

 tivated genius, his notes are distinguished 

 by the rapidity of their delivery, their va- 

 riety, sweetness and energy. As if con- 

 scious of his unrivaled powers of song, and 

 animated by the harmony of his own voice. 



his music is, as it were, accompanied by 

 chromatic dancing and expressive gestures; 

 he spreads and closes his light fanning wings, 

 expands his silvered tail, and with buoyant 

 gayety and enthusiastic ecstacy he sweeps 

 around, and mounts and descends into the 

 air from his lofty perch, as his song swells 

 to loudness, or dies away in sinking whis- 

 pers. While thus engaged, so various is his 

 talent, that it might be supposed a trial of 

 skill from all the assembled birds of the 

 country; and so perfect are his imitations 

 that even the sportsman is at times deceiv- 

 ed, and sent in quest of birds that have no 

 existence around him." 



The song of the Mockingbird is not lim- 

 ited to the hours of daylight. He sings by 

 night as well, and as sweetly as in the full 

 glare of the sun, his clear full notes being 

 most often heard after the rising of the 

 moon. Indeed, according to Wilson, the 

 hunters in the Southern States, Avhen setting 

 out on an excursion by night, know as soon 

 as they hear the Mockingbird begin to sing, 

 that the moon is rising. 



His wonderful powers of mimicry are so 

 well known that it is unnecessary to refer to 

 them at length, but we may quote a fragment 

 of Wilson's graphic description. He says: 

 "In his domesticated state, when he com- 

 mences his career of song, it is impossible 

 to stand by uninterested. He whistles for 

 the dog; Caesar starts up, wags his tail, and 

 runs to meet his master. He squeaks out 

 like a hurt chicken, and the hen hurries 



