build his home near that of man. He 

 is always animated and all his motions 

 are rapid and graceful. 



It is to be regretted that the range of 

 this beautiful bird and renowned song- 

 ster does not cover a much wider terri- 

 tory. Its breeding range extends from 

 northern New Jersey (rarely Massachu- 

 setts) and southern Illinois, southward 

 to the limits of its range in Mexico. It 

 has been observed in a very few in- 

 stances as far north, in the interior, as 

 Chicago. While its distribution does not 

 include even the larger part of the 

 United States the Mockingbird has been 

 called our national song-bird. It enjoys 

 public life and will often make its home 

 in our parks and gardens and sometimes 

 in the more quiet streets of our towns. 



Its nest is constructed with twigs, 

 weed stalks, strips of bark, and some- 

 times rags and other trash are found 

 available. It is lined with fine rootlets, 

 cotton, feathers and other soft sub- 

 stances that may be near at hand. The 

 nest is seldom placed at any great eleva- 

 tion above the ground and may be found 

 in undergrowths, in the lower levels in 

 thickets, in orchard trees and other 

 trees, and in bushes where the birds feel 

 that they are reasonably protected. In 

 the more southern portion of their nest- 

 ing range, orange, cedar and water oak 

 trees are commonly selected. They have 



been known to nest in the vines and 

 shrubbery near houses. 



The Mockingbirds are devoted par- 

 ents and ably defend their eggs and 

 young. Worms, grasshoppers and other 

 adult insects and their larvae, form their 

 food during the summer. At other 

 times, they largely feed upon wild ber- 

 ries, such as the juniper, holly, sumach, 

 sour-gum and many other varieties. 



"Their presence is a benediction to a 

 farmyard, both for the excellent music 

 they discourse, and for the spirited de- 

 fense which t^e male makes against 

 hawks and other intruders." They have 

 been known to attack and kill black 

 snakes which were seeking their eggs 

 and young. Then, too, they are useful, 

 if for no other reason, because their 

 happy spirit and enchanting song cheers 

 the spirit of man when, after a day of 

 labor, he spends his evening hours in 

 rest and listens to the rich and varied 

 melody of their music. Of their song, 

 Mr. Longfellow has said in verse: 



Plaintive at first were the tones and sad; then 



soaring to madness 

 Seemed they to follow or guide the revel of 



frenzied Bacchantes. 

 Single notes were then heard, in sorrowful, 



low lamentation ; 

 Till, having gathered them all, he flung them 



abroad in derision, 

 As when, after a storm, a gust of wind through 



the tree-tops 

 Shakes down the rattling rain in a crystal 



shower on the branches. 



ON THE COPLEY ROAD. 



To have the eyes that see, the ears that hear. 

 To feel the wild free wind against the face. 

 To meet it on the eager, springing foot 

 That puts the miles behind ; to be at one 

 With earth and growing things and blowing cloud, 

 O sweet, brave life ! 



— Charles Logie Richardson, 



