The Western Mockingbird 
be to mock another’s efforts. Anyhow, mocking a Mocker is idle business. 
The other incident was connected with a concert which began at 
ten o’clock in the evening. First, by way of overture, came a Barn 
Owl’s snarl. This appeared to cost the bird considerable effort it 
really is an agonizing sound—and was, perhaps, a bit overdone; but 
it was at least so well done that we were some minutes in determining 
that the Barn Owl and the Mockingbird, who immediately succeeded 
him, were sounding from precisely the same spot. This effect was re¬ 
peated at least half a dozen times and was invariably preceded by quite 
an interval of silence. It goes without saying that the illusion was 
all the more effective because of this foil. 
Unquestionably the most memorable aspect of life in the citrus belt 
is the nocturnal singing of the Mockingbird. Every night in spring 
and early summer, and especially every moonlight night, no matter 
at what hour, so it be after 9:30 or thereabouts, the Mocker is likely 
to be holding forth in impassioned strain. Of course he does not sing 
all the time, but the quiet intervals are at least less extensive than the 
periods of song. It is noteworthy, as Nehrling has pointed out, that 
the singer relies more upon his own genius at night. Imitations are 
forgotten and the performer is lifted up by the viewless wings of poesy. 
Taken in Los Angeles County 
722 
HARD LINES 
Photo by the Author 
