THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS 



(703) Mimus polyglottos poly= 

 glottos 



{Linn.) (Lat., a mimic; many-tongued). 



MOCKINGBIRD. Plumage as 

 shown; upper parts ashy-gray; wings 

 and tail blackish, the former with 

 white at bases of primaries, and the 

 latter with white tips to outer feathers 

 and whole white outer ones; below 

 soiled white. Sexes similar but 9 

 slightly browner and with less white. 

 L., 10.50; W., 4.50; T., 4.90; B., .70. 

 A^cst — Of twigs, weeds, etc., lined 

 with rootlets; in thickets. 



Range — Breeds from the Gulf 

 north to j\ld., Ohio and Neb. Cas- 

 ually to Mass.; accidental north to 

 N. B., Ont. and Wis. 



(703a) M. p. leucopterus 



(Visors) 



WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD. 

 Southwestern U. S.; east to Neb. 



brush country of the Southwestern States. Although their 

 colors and markings are in harmony with the general color 

 schemes of the regions they inhabit, they do not make use 

 of them for concealment. The favorite pastime of male birds 

 is to perch in the top of a tall sage bush, or on a telegraph pole, 

 and pour forth the sweetest of bird music for, apparently, 

 hours at a time. Not only do they sing early in the morning, 

 but often through the heat of the day and sometimes even by 

 moonlight. The song is as loud and varied as that of the 

 common eastern Brown Thrasher. 



MOCKINGBIRDS, as songsters, are probably the equal 

 or superior of any other bird. Famous in song, verse and 

 story, they deserve every bit of praise that is bestowed upon 

 them. Other species may have shorter songs or passages 

 that are technically better than those of the Mocker, but as 

 songsters be far inferior. Those who have had the oppor- 

 tunities of comparing this species in its southern home with 

 the Nightingale in its favorite haunts, say that the song of 



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