FROM ADULT OBSERVERS 



The First Record of the Mockingbird Nesting in Rhode Island 



On April 7, 191 1, a single bird was seen, but not close enough for identi- 

 fication. On April 19 it was seen more closely and for three days following, 

 and on account of its song it was identified as a male Mockingbird. On April 

 24 two birds were seen, and from that date until the last of June they were 

 observed almost daily. Their nest was located, about the middle of May, in 

 a spruce tree, some fifty feet from a private residence surrounded by rather 

 spacious grounds, a quarter of a mile from Hampden Meadows Station. The 

 nest was large and untidily built, and contained four eggs. Only three young 

 birds were known to hatch out. The birds stayed near the place of nesting, 

 and seemed inclined to quarrel with other birds. In the spring the song of the 

 male was rather unsatisfactory and unpleasant, but in the fall it was of a far 

 liner quality. Early in September the adults and three young were seen every 

 day, September 20 was the last date when more than one individual was seen. 

 The male stayed until October 21. A few days after, the male and female 

 reappeared, and were seen daily about the grounds and in the privet hedge. 

 They made very little noise, and seemed to be contented to come out about 

 the hen-yard and about the bushes that had withered berries on them. Feb- 

 ruary 8 they were still in the vicinity. The family owning the grounds near 

 which they nested fed them all winter, and they were very friendly. January 

 30, one of them flew out of the swamp, about a cjuarter of a mile from where 

 the nest was, toward the house. — 'Bertha B. Smith, Barrington, R. I. 



[This interesting and unusual record is published through the kindness of the teacher 

 whose observations are given above. The movements of this family of Mockingbirds 

 have been followed eagerly by bird-lovers, and it was hoped that the parent birds 

 would remain to nest this season. Only one has been seen in Barrington since late 

 in the winter, but, very early in April, one bird, judged to be a male by its song, appeared 

 in the grounds of Mr. John R. Freeman, well within the limits of the city of Providence. 

 Here it was heard or seen daily until April 26, when it disappeared. If unmolested 

 by cats or other enemies, it is hoped that the whereabouts of these Mockingbirds may 

 be reported by interested observers. So far as known, the above nesting-record is the 

 first for this species in Rhode Island. 



Under date of May 29, 191 2, Miss Smith writes further: "The Mockingbird (male) 

 is still in Barrington, but we have been unable to discover any other individuals this 

 spring. Of the three that were hatched last spring, only one was with the parent birds 

 in the fall. All three were seen late in November, and then for a few weeks they dis- 

 appeared. The male returned and stayed all winter. This spring I have made careful 

 search and inquiries, but find only one bird. He does not seem to be very busy nor 

 very lonely, and has made friends with the people in whose grounds he is located. — 

 A. H. W.] 



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