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Bird - Lore 



putting it mildly. We knew at a glance 

 it was a Mockingbird, but we lost no time 

 in calling in our bird-loving friends, all of 

 whom were delighted to know that we 

 had such a rare winter guest. He very 

 quickly made himself at home and was 



would watch their chance to get their 

 share of the food when the Mockingbird 

 released his vigilance. When he wants his 

 meal all must go but the Blue Jay which 

 he did not try to conquer, although he 

 shows a disposition to fight if he dared. 



A TOWHEE ON THE FEEDING-STAND 



soon sole owner and overseer of the coveted 

 feeding-table. He seemed to have a dis- 

 taste for the bright colors of the Cardinals 

 for he took great delight in chasing them 

 out of the yard. He tried to drive the Red- 

 bellied Woodpecker from the table, and a 

 battle ensued such as we have never wit- 

 nessed among birds. The Red-bellied was 

 not going to be driven, as he had several 

 years' prior claim. They would flutter in 

 air, facing each other, drop to the post 

 and branches of the tree, the Red-bellied 

 with mouth open, and one time he hung 

 with back down for probably a minute 

 waiting for the next thrust, but the 

 Mockingbird finally won. All the birds 



He moves out of the way but never runs. 

 At this writing, March 12, 191 7, he is still 

 very much at home. 



The Mockingbird is an occasional 

 summer resident in this county (Clinton). 

 Possibly three or four pairs are reported 

 every summer from widely separated 

 localities in our county, but why this one 

 remaiiied over or where it came from will 

 always be a mystery to us. He eats 

 walnut kernels, crumbs, and suet. We 

 have never seen him eat sunflower or any 

 kind of seed. 



This winter we have had at our table 

 the following birds: male and female 

 Hairy, male and two female Downies, 



