276 PERCHERS AND SINGERS 
of delicious melody, in bewildering variations, one is tempted 
to declare that no mockingbird can surpass it. It is simply 
indescribable. Often when sadly toiling in Iowa fields, I 
have been stopped and held by this feathered spellbinder for 
what seemed to my brothers like very long intervals. 
In form this bird is very much like the mockingbird, but 
its back is colored a rich iron-rust brown, and its under sur- 
face is dull white, strongly spotted with large, triangular 
brown spots. Its home is the whole of the United States east 
of the Rocky Mountains, and it is the sweetest singer of the 
North. Unfortunately, its song period is rather short, and 
terminates about the end of June. 
Tue Carsirp! of the North bears a strong resemblance 
to the mockingbird, in form, color and movement. It is 
also a good singer, though hardly in the same class as its 
southern relative. It is very sociable in its habits, and loves 
the orchards, gardens, fruit trees and berry bushes of the 
country dweller. Its name is derived from its favorite ex- 
clamatory cry, which sounds like the plaintive mew of a half- 
grown kitten. Its prevailing color is dark slaty-gray. 
Tue Mockincsirp,” of the states south of the Ohio 
River, is a singing wonder. It is a little bundle of nerves, 
covered with modest drab feathers, and its throat is tuned 
up to concert pitch. When it is silent it can be recognized 
by its slender body, long legs and long tail; but when it is 
singing only a deaf man needs an introduction. This bird 
can also be recognized by its nervous and irregular move- 
1 Gal-e-os-cop'tes carolinensis. Length, 8.75 inches. 
2 Mi'mus pol-y-glot'tos. Length, about 10 inches, 
