MERULIDiE. 



16.! 



Mock-bird of North America. The words in Italics alone denote their respective 

 differences. 



Lanius Carolinensis, Wilson. 



Bill arched from the base, short; rictus 

 bearded. 



Colour above grey, beneath white ; ears 

 black; wings obliquely rounded, black, — the 

 quills with a white band at their base ; tail 

 black, graduated, tipped with white. 



" Makes its nest in a detached bush, in the 

 manner of the Mocking-bird." Wilson, iii., 

 p. 57. 



" Feeds on crickets and grasshoppers." 

 p. 57. 



The Cinereous and Red-backed Shrikes 

 imitate the notes of other birds. Lath., Gen. 

 Hist., ii., p. 12. 



Shrikes and rapacious birds are well known 

 to disgorge the undigested part of their food 

 in round pellets. 



American Mocking-bird. 



Bill arched from the base, long; rictus 

 bearded. 



Colour above grey, beneath white ; wings 

 obliquely rounded : wings and tail of the same 

 structure and colour as those of Lanius Caro- 

 linensis. 



'* Feeds on winged insects, fruits, and 

 grasshoppers." Wilson. 



Imitates the notes of other birds. 



Mr. Bartram writes, " I have observed that 

 the Mocking-bird ejects from his stomach, 

 through his month, the hard kernels of ber- 

 ries, &c, retaining the pulpy part." Wilson, 

 ii., p. 25. 



In Georgia, according to Mr. Abbot, the 

 Carolina Shrike is known by the name of Big- 

 headed Mocking-bird. Lath., Gen. Hist., ii., 

 p. 7. 



It seems impossible to conceive in what way this most extraordinary analogy 

 can be rendered more complete. Here are typical examples of two groups — 

 birds of the same size — clothed in nearly the same coloured plumage, seeking the 

 same kind of nourishment, agreeing in the structure of their wings and tail, 

 (almost in their feet,) building the same kind of nest, imitating the notes of other 

 birds, ejecting their unserviceable food in the same manner, and, finally, called 

 almost by the same name, — and yet totally distinct in real affinity ! Well may 

 we exclaim, " Wonderful are thy works, O Lord ! for they are full of wisdom." 

 If such astonishing relations become apparent on gaining the first imperfect 

 glimpse of His system, how inconceivably sublime must be the whole, could the 

 human mind ever attain unto such knowledge ! 



