68 
AN IMITATIVE ARTIST. 
his nature ; but in Jamaica he is found in almost all situations, from 
the mountain-peak to the sea-shore, though he shows a partiality to 
the orchards and gardens of the lowlands. He is less capricious in his 
fancies than his European rivals. In fact, he is found in America as 
far north as Virginia, and as far south as Brazil ; and it is well that 
so charming a singer should be favourably distinguished by his 
catholicity. 
And here we may be allowed to say something of his song. Is it 
equal to that of the nightingale ? This is a question which Wilson 
says he cannot answer, having never heard the song of the latter; and 
we ourselves are unable to reply, because we have never heard the 
song of the former. But it is certiiin that his own strain is far 
inferior to that of our 
" Sweet and plaintive Sappho of the vale," 
who, as Coleridge finely say.s, 
" Crowds, and hurries, and jirecijiitates. 
With fast thick warble, his delicious notes, 
As he were fearful that an April night 
Would be too short for him to utter forth 
His love-chant, and disburthen his full soul 
Of all its music." * 
The mockintr-bird's native notes consist, according 
to Wilson, of short expressions of two, three, or at the 
most five or six syllables ; generally intei-spersed with 
imitations, and all of them uttered Avith great emphasis 
and rapidity; and continued with well sustained fer- 
vour for thirty, forty, or fifty minutes at a time. 
" In these brilliant nights," says Mr. Gosse, " when 
* Coleridge here seemi; to renienilier Milton's "love-laboured song." 
