388 BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 



its natural power and energy as a songster, and being of a sociable, 

 familiar disposition, soon gets attached to those who are in the habit 

 of attending to its want^s. Among American birds it has been justly 

 styled the "Prince of Musicians," and indeed, with the exception of 

 the British Sky-lark, whose grand, soaring flight adds greatly to the 

 effect of its music, I know of no bird in any country possessed of 

 such a wonderful compass of voice. Often while exercising its 

 powers of mimicry, it will give so correct an imitation of the notes of 

 other birds, that the most retiring species will come from their 

 haunts, expecting to meet their mates, when suddenly they will be 

 driven in fear to the thicket by as correct an imitation of the harsh 

 scream of the hawk. 



The following incident gives me the privilege of claiming the 

 species for Ontario, a pair having spent the summer of 1883 near 

 Hamilton. 



Had any one, acquainted with this neighborhood and with the 

 habits of the bird, been asked to suggest where it was most likely 

 to be found, he would certainly have said East Hamilton, and it was 

 there that Mr. Eastwood first observed the male, early in the season, 

 in one of the leafy lanes between his residence and the mountain. 

 Mr. Eastwood was in the habit of taking exercise on horseback in 

 the early morning, and seldom passed the place where the bird was 

 first recognized without again seeing him on the dead branch of a 

 low tree which he had chosen for his perch. As the season advanced 

 these frequent visits grew into something like personal friendship, for 

 the bird evidently recognized his visitor, and, if absent at first, would 

 readily respond to a call, and, mounting his usual perch, would 

 answer in his own eloquent style. He also caught up many of the 

 local sounds of the neighborhood : the crowing of the rooster, the 

 cackling of the fowls, and the notes of other birds were imitated with 

 wonderful correctness, but sweetest of all were his own rich, full 

 tones, which gave a new charm to that favored localit3^ Only once 

 during the season was a glimpse obtained of the female, who was 

 evidently engaged in domestic duties, though, with the view of 

 making the pair feel as much at home as possible, the nest was not 

 sought for. 



It was hoped that this pair or some of their family would return 

 the following season to visit their old friends in Ontario, but, if they 

 did so, they have not been observed. 



In the " Birds of Western Ontario," mention is made of one 

 specimen being taken by Mr. Sandys at Chatham in 1860, which is 

 all we know of the Mockingbird in Ontario at present. 



