THE SINGING BIRDS. 215 



As may readily be imagined, the sounds imitated by these remarkable birds vary according to 

 the situation in which they live; those that occupy woodland districts naturally repeat the note 

 uttered by their feathered companions, whilst those near a farmyard learn not only to imitate the 

 cries of all its' different inhabitants, but reproduce them so perfectly as to deceive the nicest ear. Thus 

 they have been known to summon the house-dog, by whistling like his master ; drive a hen to a state 

 of the utmost excitement, by constantly screaming out in such a manner as to lead her to suppose 

 that one of her chicks was in the last agonies ; or to scare away a whole flock of poultry by the 

 perfection with which they imitate the cry of one of the many tyrants of the air. The clapping of 

 a mill, a creaking door, the grating of a saw, or, indeed, any of the multitudinous noises heard in a 

 busy household, at once attract their attention, and are simulated with such torturing exactness as 

 often to render the Mocking Bird, when caged, almost unbearable. 



Amongst the many enemies to whose attacks this species is exposed, the black snake is one of 

 the most formidable, and frequent and terrible are the battles that ensue between these apparently 

 very unequal combatants. 



" Whenever," says Wilson, " the insidious approaches of this reptile are discovered, the male 

 darts upon it with the rapidity of an arrow, dexterously eluding its bite, and 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 his young redoubles his exertions, and, 

 unless his antagonist be of great magnitude, often succeeds in destroying him. All its pretended 

 powers of fascination avail it nothing against the vengeance of this noble bird. As the snake's 

 strength begins to flag, the Mocking Bird seizes and partially lifts it up from the ground, beating it 

 with his wings ; and when the business is completed he returns to the repository of his young, 

 mounts the summit of the bush, and pours out a torrent of song in token of victory." 



In the southern provinces of the United States the breeding season of this Thrush commences 

 in April, whilst in the northern parts, on the contrary, it does not begin till the end of May. 

 Throughout the whole of this period the male is extremely restless, and endeavours to attract the 

 attention of his mate by the ceaseless activity of his movements, alternately strutting conceitedly 

 about on the ground, with tail expanded and drooping wings, or fluttering, butterfly-like, around the 

 spot on which she is perched, at the same time performing a series of graceful evolutions in the 

 air. The nest, which is formed of dry twigs, tendrils, grass, and wool, thickly lined with delicate 

 fibres, is usually placed at the summit of trees or leafy shrubs, frequently close to habitations, but 

 occasionally also in low bushes and briary clumps growing in comparatively unfrequented and 

 uncultivated spots. Two and sometimes three broods are produced in the year ; the first containing 

 from four to six, the second at most five, and the third seldom more than three eggs. These 

 are round in shape, of a light green colour, variously marked with dark brown. The young are 

 hatched by the mother alone, and usually leave the shell in about a fortnight. The two first families 

 gtow rapidly, but they do not attain their full size until late in the year. Audubon maintains that, 

 should the parents be disturbed whilst tending their young, they exhibit the greatest anxiety for their 

 safety, and redouble their care and attention. This opinion is, however, in direct contradiction 

 to the idea prevalent in America, that if the Mocking Thrush be alarmed it at once deserts its 

 progeny. During the summer this species lives principally upon insects, which, unlike most 

 Thrushes, it often pursues to a considerable height in the air. In autumn it feeds upon a great 

 vanety of berries. When caged it is readily reared upon the food usually given to Thrushes, but 

 should also receive an occasional meal of ants' eggs or meal-worms. Upon this diet it will not 

 only live for a considerable time and become extremely tame, but lay its eggs regularly from year 

 to year. 



