100 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



Delaware. Generally migratory north of that beautiful river and 

 resident to a great extent southward thereof, passing the winter season 

 in the Gulf States and beyond toward the equator. 



The period at which this bird begins nesting varies, of course, 

 according to latitude, from the first of April to the end of May. It is 

 of familiar habits, frequenting the neighborhood of man, consequently 

 is a general favorite, not that there is anything striking about its 

 appearance, beyond its trim, graceful form, but its self independence, 

 demonstrative attachment to its mate and wonderful powers of song. 

 A solitary thorn bush, an almost impenetrable thicket, cedar or holly 

 are favorite places, but as indicated, it has no objection to the 

 proximity of residence or other building. Always ready to defend, but 

 never over-anxious to conceal the nest, which is rarely at a greater 

 height than six or eight feet above the ground. There is a reason for 

 this; let the student learn fir>t the rude architecture of the nest. The 

 eggs are delicate and shapely having a body color of a pale ashy green, 

 blotched with light brown, and are from three to six in number. 

 During the period of incubation, two weeks, nothing can approach the 

 nest, with sinister motives without being attacked. 



The cat is especially punished if it appears, until it is forced to 

 scamper away. But its whole vengeance is articularly and savagely 

 directed against the black snake, the morta enemy of the Mocking- 

 bird. An authority quaintly but truly says: "Whenever the insidious 

 approach of this reptile is discovered, the male Mocker darts upon it 

 with the rapidity of an arrow, dexterously eluding it, but striking it 

 violently and incessantly about the head, where it is very vulnerable. 

 The snake soon becomes sensible of its danger and seeks to escape; 

 but the intrepid defender of its young redoubles its exertions and unless 

 the antagonist be of too great magnitude, often succeeds in destroying 

 it, whereupon it returns to the nest of its mate and young, mounts the 

 summit of the bush or tree, and pours forth a torrent of song in token 

 of victory". 



As the name implies, this bird is indeed a polyglot, having perfect 

 control of many and varied bird languages. The masterly lines of the 

 blind, but soulful Clarence Hawkes of Hadley, Massachusetts, "A 

 Nightingale Song", are but a description of the Mocking-bird's song 

 powers. In fact it is sometimes called the Mock-Nightingale. The 

 plumage of both the male and the female is the same, a plain gray, 

 relieved only by the blackish wings with their white edgings and tips of 

 the coverts, and the white outer tail feathers. 



Whoever has closely observed this bird in its native habitats has 

 doubtless noticed particularly its "mounting song" and the performer's 



