88 AUDUBON THE NATURALIST. 
But unrivalled, perhaps, for powers of melody 
and grace of motion is the mocking bird, which 
remains in Louisiana throughout the year. Ar- 
rayed in his soft plumage, delicately blended, 
with movements airy as a butterfly, his tail ex- 
panded, and his lovely wings outspread, he may 
be seen mounting in the air. Describing a circle 
around his beloved, he alights and approaches 
her with beaming delighted eyes. After gently 
inclining himself, as if courteously bowing, he 
again soars upward, and pours forth an exulting 
song of conquest, as if his full breast were about 
to be rent with delight, his notes flowing more 
softly and richly than before, in varied mo- 
dulations of wonderfully brilliant execution, 
Alighting as at first, he then mounts higher in 
the air, and glances around with a watchful eye, 
les} any intrucer should mar his bliss. Then 
gaily dancing through the air, as though to 
assure his companion of the plenitude of his 
love, his song flows afresh in imitation of every 
other warbler of the grove, and may be often 
heard to mimic, even quadrupeds, with ease. 
There appears to be no foundation, however, 
for the assertion of his ability to imitate the 
human voice. 
At a certain note from his beloved, thé mock: 
ing bird, in order to know her wishes, ceases his 
song. They then mutually inspect the swect- 
