MOCKING BIRD. 113 



soiihrette of taste, which, could she study under a Mozart, might per- 

 haps in time become very interesting in her way. But to compare her 

 essays to the finished talent of the IMocking Bird, is, in my opinion, quite 

 absurd. 



The Mocking Bird is easily reared by hand from the nest, from 

 which it ought to be removed when eight or ten days old. It becomes so 

 very familiar and affectionate, that it wiU often follow its owner about the 

 house. I have known one raised from the nest kept by a gentleman at 

 Natchez, that frequently flew out of the house, poured forth its melodies, 

 and returned at sight of its keeper. But notwithstanding all the care 

 and management bestowed upon the improvement of the vocal powers of 

 this bird in confinement, I never heard one in that state produce any 

 thing at all approaching in melody to its own natural song. 



The male bird is easily distinguished in the nest, as soon as the brood 

 is a little fledged, it being larger than the female, and shewing more pure 

 white. It does not shrink so deep in the nest as the female does, at the 

 sight of the hand which is about to lift it. Good singing birds of this 

 species often bring a high price. They dre long-lived, and very agree- 

 able companions. Their imitative powers are amazing, and they mimic 

 with ease all their brethren of the forests or of the waters, as well as 

 many qvxadrupeds. I have heard it asserted that they possess the power 

 of imitating the human voice, but have never met Avith an instance of the 

 display of this alleged faculty. 



TuRDUS P0LYG1.0TTUS, Limi. Sjst. Nat. vol. i. p. 293. — Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. 



p. 339 — Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of the United States, p. 74. 

 Mimic Thrush, Lath. Synops. vol. iii. p. 40. 

 Mocking Bird, Turdus polvglottus, Wils. Americ. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 14. 



PI. X. fig. 1. 



Adult Male. Plate XXI. Fig. 1, 1. 



Bill of moderate length, rather weak, compressed, straightish ; up- 

 per mandible slightly arched in its dorsal outline, little declinate at the 

 tip ; lower mandible nearly straight, acute. Nostrils basal, oblong, half- 

 closed by a membrane. Head of ordinary size. Neck and body rather 

 slender. Feet longish, rather strong ; tarsus compressed, acute behind, 

 covered anteriorly with a few long scutella ; toes scutellate above, the 



H 



