94 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



The mockingbird. 

 Drawing by L. A. Fuertes. 



THE MOCKINGBIRD 



Teacher's Story 



Among all the vocalists in the bird world, the mockingbird is unrivaled 

 in the variety and richness of his repertoire; and he has thus won his 

 place among men, convincing many ignorant people by the means of his 

 voice that a bird is good for something besides "victuals." The mocking- 

 birds go as far north as southern New England, but they are found at their 

 best in the Southern States and in California. On the Gulf Coast the 

 mockers begin singing in February ; in warmer climates they sing almost 

 the year through. During the nesting season, the father mocker is so 

 busy with his cares and duties during the day, that he does not have time 

 to sing and so devotes the nights to serenading; he may sing almost all 

 night long if there is moonlight, but even on dark nights he gives now 

 and then a happy, sleepy song. Not all mockingbirds are mockers; 

 some sing their own song which is rich and beautiful; while others learn 

 in addition, not only the songs of other birds, but their call notes as well. 

 One authority noted a mocker which imitated the songs of twenty 

 species of birds during a ten-minute performance. When singing, the 

 mocker shows his relationship to the brown thrasher by lifting the head 



