.540 CLASS AVES. 



the cat, however, it takes off so completely as to deceive any 

 ear. 



This bird is very common in Saint Domingo, where it is 

 called the nightingale; but there it possesses none of those 

 qualities so much vaunted in North America. Its song, how- 

 ever, is the same. It frequents the savannahs, delights to be 

 near habitations, and seems to love the society of man, the 

 sight of whom is alone sufficient to excite it to sing. 



This bird moves the tail up and down, and often carries it in 

 a raised position : at such times its wings are pendant. 



Bold and courageous, the mocking-thrush is frequently at 

 war with the pipiris^ and forces the little birds of prey to quit 

 the places which it has adopted for its own abode, especially 

 during the hatching-time. 



It places its nest on trees of middle size, or in thick bushes, 

 gives it a similar form to that of the missel, and furnishes the 

 base without with thorny branches. It lays four or five eggs, 

 spotted with red points on a white ground, which points are 

 larger towards the thick end than elsewhere. 



It feeds on insects and different berries. It is brought up 

 in cages, but to preserve it, it must be taken in the nest, and 

 its tastes and wants be carefully studied and administered to. 

 When this is done, it will continue to sing many years. 



It is about the size of the redwing, and the female is of the 

 same dimensions with the male. 



We pass on to the Loriots or Orioles. 



The Oriole, properly so called, (Oriolus galbula,) and golden 

 Oriole of Latham, comes into France about the middle of 

 spring, and quits in autumn to pass the winter in Africa. It 

 migrates at uncertain periods into England and Sweden. On 

 their arrival, the male and female soon couple, and place their 

 nest at the extremity of the branches of very elevated trees. 



This nest is constructed with much art and industry : it is 

 attached to the bifurcation of two small branches ; the birds 

 enlace around the two branches, which form this bifurcation,. 



