FIELD AND FOREST. 1 65 



A Mocking Bird put to Shame. 



It is commonly believed that the mocking bird can imitate every 

 bird he may chance to fall in company with. As a rule this is true in 

 connection with our native birds, but not with those from a foreign 

 country. 



Southey gives a most faithful description of our celebrated songster 

 in the following lines : 



" That cheerful one who knoweth all 



The songs of all the winged choristers ; 

 And in one sequence of melodious sounds, 



Pours all their music." 



With his full sweet voice and talent for mimicry the mocking bird 

 rarely fails in rendering his neighbor's song with beautiful effect. 



Who has not listened to the sweet warbling of this animated intel- 

 ligent bird. On a summer night mounted on the topmost branch of 

 a tall tree he, perhaps, begins singing at nine o'clock. When the 

 moon shines brightest his song is the loudest and sweetest, so full of 

 mimicry that one might well suspect every bird of the forest to be 

 there joining in the concert. Self appreciation is a largely developed 

 feature in his character. He seems fully conscious of his power, but 

 when he fails he sinks with shame and vexation. The following fact 

 is a proof of this : 



Some years ago a jungle thrush was brought to this country from 

 Hindostan ; the voice of this bird was exquisitely beautiful and so 

 powerful that he had to be removed from the room where there was a 

 piano; a touch upon the key board was a signal for him to join in con- 

 cert. The next door neighbor had a very fine mocking bird, a cele- 

 brated singer. These birds occupied cages which, upon bright days, were 

 hung out at adjoining windows, and the first time the mocking bird 

 heard the thrush sing he was overpowered with astonishment. He sat 

 motionless upon his perch eyeing the thrush with eager curiosity and 

 listening attentively as if to learn the song. He then became restless 

 making short energetic hops, turning upon the roost, gesticulating, 

 swelling his throat and making every effort to sing the same song. 



One whole morning was spent in this way. Never did poor bird 

 try harder to learn a tune but to no purpose. Finding all his efforts 

 useless he sat silent and spiritless, became sick and nearly died from 

 shame and dissappointment. 



