THE COLLECTORS' MONTHLY. 



THE MOCKING BIRD. 



[Mimus polyglottus.j 

 For the Collectors' Monthly. 



The Mocking Bird is a specieo of Thrush, 

 found in the warm and milder climates of 

 America. This famous bird is about nine 

 inches and a half long, of an ashy gray color 

 above, whitish below and though destitute 

 of brilliant plumage, his form is beautiful, 

 delicate and symmetrical. His motions are 

 easy and] graceful, and his looks full of 

 shrewdness and intelligence. He listens 

 with attention to each passing sound, and 

 imitates with exactness the notes of all the 

 feathered creation. While thus engaged, it 

 might be supposed that all the assembled 

 birds were making a trial of skill, and so 

 perfect are his imitations that even the 

 sportsman is at times deceived, and sent in 

 quest of birds that have no existance a- 

 round. He is in truth the Orpheus of the 

 forest, for however wild and discordant the 

 tones and calls he imitates may b^, he blends 

 them all together with such a tender sweet- 

 ness, the orignals, mortified and astonished, 

 withdraw from his presence, or listen in si- 

 lence. 



He builds his nest in a bush, thicket, or 

 tree, of twigs, leaves and grass, blended with 

 bits of wood, and so careful is he of his 

 young brood that he will attack cats, dogs 

 and men if they approach the nest; but his 

 most deadly enemy is the black snake. As 

 soon as this creature is discovered by the 

 male bird he darts upon it, strikes it upon 

 the eyes and head and so unceasing are his 

 efforts that he soon causes his subtile foe to 

 retreat; then, mounting on the the bush 

 which contains the objects of his affection- 

 ate solicitude, he pours forth his loudest 

 song in token of victory. 



This charming bird is easily tamed, and 

 becomes familiar with his master, playfully 

 .attacking him through the bars of his cage. 



Here, as in his native woods, he is full of 

 life and action, while engaged in song, 



throwing himself about as if keeping time to 

 his melody. It is painful to reflect that 

 blindness often terminates the gay career of 

 this interesting prisoner, and drooping in 

 silent sadness, he dies soon after his mis- 

 fortune. The price given for the Mocking 

 bird is from five to fifty dollars ; and some- 

 times even a hundred have been refused for 

 an extraordinary songster. His nest is 

 built of leaves, grass, twigs and etc. in low 

 trees or bushes. The eggs vary greatly In 

 size and are from .85 x .70 to .9.5 x .80, of a 

 bluish green color and have several shades 

 of brown markings upon them. 



THE GANNET. 



The Gannet or Soland Goose is chiefly 

 found in the northern regions of both conti- 

 nents. It is white, marked somewhat with 

 black, and is about two feet six inches long. 

 It dwells in desert and rocky islands in the 

 the sea, in incredible numbers. It is unable 

 to dive, walks with difficulty, is of powerful 

 flight and seldom swims. It hovers over the 

 water for its prey. There is a rock called 

 Gannet Rock in the bay of the St. Lawrence, 

 which it frequents in vast numbers, ap- 

 pearing at a distance like masses of snow. 

 This is the bird whose eggs afford the in- 

 habitance of St. Kilda their chief support 

 They lay but a single egg. 



The Jackdaw is a species of crow inhabi- 

 ting Europe, of a black color and about 

 thirteen inches long. In England, it is of- 

 ten seen around ruinous buildings. It is 

 capable of being tamed, and can articulate 

 some words. It has a turn for theft, and 

 will often secrete money and jewels. 



An attempt is being made to propogate 

 j Chinese Quail in California, and 600 have 

 been sent to the large ranches in the great 

 j valleys. The birds resemble English Snipe 

 ! or the American Meadow Lark in size and 

 I color. 



