480 Birds of Colorado 
The western form of the Mocking-bird differs from the eastern bird 
only in its slightly larger average size and relatively shorter tail. 
Distribution.—South-western United States and Mexico from Texas 
to California, and Wyoming to Vera Cruz, breeding throughout the 
greater part of its range, though not wintering in the northern portion. 
In Colorado the Mocking-bird is a fairly common summer resident, 
especially in the southern part of the State, both in the plains and at 
low elevations. It seldom goes above 7,000 feet. It arrives from 
the south about the last week in April, and nests about a month or 
six weeks later, departing south again in September. It is not known 
to winter in the State. The following are migration records: Fort 
Lyon, April 17th (Cooke), Pueblo, April 25th (Lowe), Salida, May 4th 
(Frey), Baca co., May Ist (Warren), El Paso co., May 2nd (Aiken 
collection). The breeding records are: Fort Collins (Cooke), Evans, 
Weld co. (Eggs in Colo. Coll. Mus.), Boulder co. (Gale), Platte River, 
near Denver (Say), Ramah and Pueblo (Aiken), La Plata co. (Morrison), 
Grand Junction (Rockwell). It has been exceptionally met with as 
high as Breckenridge, 9,700 feet, by Carter. 
Habits.—The Mocking-bird is justly celebrated for 
its vocal powers and its ability to imitate the notes of 
other birds; in this respect the western form shows 
no falling off, though perhaps less known, because less 
common. It is also noted for its attachment to its home, 
returning year after year to the same spot and often 
making use of the same nest after effecting repairs. In 
summer it chiefly feeds on insects and worms, and obtains 
these on or near the ground, but later on it prefers soft 
fruits and berries, grapes and raspberries being the 
favourites. The nest is frequently placed in a cactus 
bush where these are to be found, but willows and other 
low trees and bushes are also used. 
Dennis Gale describes the nest as being formed of 
dry twigs of greasewood, fixed upon or between the 
twigs of a horizontal bough, and rather loosely put 
together, so that it falls apart when removed. The 
lining is of fine roots and horsehair ; he states that the 
bulk of the nests he has examined are old ones, in which 
