BIRDS IN A VILLAGE. 
25 
of it and of the very peculiar character of the 
sounds emitted, his song is frequently described by 
ornithologists as mocking, defiant, scolding, angry, 
etc. It seems clear that at different times the 
bird sings from different exciting causes. When, 
undisturbed by a strange presence, he bursts 
spontaneously into singing, the music, as in other 
species, is simply an expression of overflowing 
gladness; at other times the bird expresses such 
feelings as alarm, suspicion, solicitude, perhaps 
anger, by singing the same song. How does this 
come about ? 
I have stated, when speaking of the nightingale, 
that birds in which the singing faculty is highly 
developed sometimes make the mistake of bursting 
into song when anxious or distressed or in pain, 
but that this is not the case with the mocking- 
birds. Some species of these brilliant songsters of 
the New World in their passion for variety, to put 
it in that way, import every harsh and grating cry 
and sound they know into their song ; but, on the 
other hand, when anxious for the safety of their 
young, or otherwise distressed, they emit only the 
harsh and grating sounds — never a melodious note. 
In the reed-warbler the harsh scolding sounds 
that express alarm, solicitude, and other painful 
emotions, have also been made a part of the musical 
performance ; but this differs from the songs of 
