MOCKING BIRD. 109 



They are not the soft sounds of the flute or of tlie hautboy that I 

 hear, but the sweeter notes of Nature's own music. The mellowness of 

 the song, the varied modulations and gradations, the extent of its com- 

 pass, the great brilliancy of execution, are unrivalled. There is proba- 

 bly no bird in the world that possesses all the musical quahfications of 

 this king of song, who has derived all from Nature's self. Yes, reader, 

 alii 



No sooner has he again alighted, and the conjugal contract has been 

 sealed, than, as if his breast was about to be rent with delight, he again 

 pours forth his notes with more softness and richness than before. He 

 now soars higher, glancing around \dth a vigilant eye, to assure himself 

 that none has witnessed his bliss. When these love-scenes, visible only 

 to the ardent lover of nature, are over, he dances through the air, full of 

 animation and delight, and, as if to convince his lovely mate that to en- 

 rich her hopes he has much more love in store, he that moment begins 

 anew, and imitates all the notes which nature has imparted to the other 

 songsters of the grove. 



For a while, each long day and pleasant night are thus spent ; but 

 at a peculiar note of the female he ceases his song, and attends to her 

 wishes. A nest is to be prepared, and the choice of a place in which to 

 lay it is to become a matter of mutual consideration. The Orange, the 

 Fig, the Pear-tree of the gardens are inspected ; the thick briar patches 

 are also visited. They appear all so well suited for the purpose in view, 

 and so well does the bird know that man is not his most dangerous 

 enemy, that instead of retiring from him, they at length fix their abode 

 in his vicinity, perhaps in the nearest tree to his window. Dried twigs, 

 leaves, grasses, cotton, flax, and other substances, are picked up, carried 

 to a forked branch, and there arranged. The female has laid an egg, 

 and the male redoubles his caresses. Five eggs are deposited in due 

 time, when the male having little more to do than to sing his mate to re- 

 pose, attunes his pipe anew. Every now and then he spies an insect on 

 the ground, the taste of which he is sure will please his beloved one. He 

 drops upon it, takes it in his bill, beats it against the earth, and flies 

 to the nest to feed and receive the warm thanks of his devoted female. 



When a fortnight has elapsed, the young brood demand all their 

 care and attention. No cat, no vile snake, no dreaded hawk, is likely to 

 visit their habitation. Indeed the inmates of the next house have by this 

 time become quite attached to the lovely pair of Mocking Birds, and 



