16 



MOCKING-BIRD 



doubles his exertions, and, unless his antagonist be of great mag- 

 nitude, often succeeds in destroying him. All its pretended powers 

 of fascination avail it nothing against the vengeance of this noble 

 bird. As the snake's strength begins to flag the Mocking-bird 

 seizes and lifts it up, partly from the ground, beating it with his 

 wings, and when the business is completed, he returns to the re- 

 pository of his young, mounts the summit of the bush, and pours 

 out a torrent of song in token of victory. 



As it is of some consequence to be able to distinguish a young 

 male bird from a female, the following marks may be attended to; 

 by which some pretend to be able to distinguish them in less than 

 a week after they are hatched. These are, the breadth and purity 

 of the white on the wings, for that on the tail is not so much to be 

 depended on. This white, in a full grown male-bird, spreads over 

 the whole nine primaries, down to, and considerably below, their 

 coverts, which are also white, sometimes slightly tipt with brown. 

 The white of the primaries also extends equally far on both vanes 

 of the feathers. In the female the white is less pure, spreads over 

 only seven or eight of the primaries, does not descend so far, and 

 extends considerably farther down on the broad' than on the nar- 

 row side of the feathers. The black is also more of a brownish 

 cast. 



The young birds, if intended for the cage, ought not to be left 

 till they are nearly ready to fly ; but should be taken rather young 

 than otherwise ; and may be fed, every half hour, with milk thick- 

 ened with Indian meal ; mixing occasionally with it a little fresh 

 meat, cut or minced very fine. After they begin to eat of their 

 own accord, they ought still to be fed by hand, tho at longer inter- 

 vals, and a few cherries, strawberries, &c. now and then thrown 

 in to them. The same sort of food, adding grasshoppers and fruit, 

 particularly the various kinds of berries in which they delight; and 

 plenty of clear fine gravel, is found very proper for them after they 

 are grown up. Should the bird at any time appear sick or de- 



