166 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
ishment that the sole performer in this singular con- 
cert is the admirable bird now before us.’ 
“A solitary thorn-bush, an almost impenetrable 
thicket, an orange tree, cedar or holly bush are fre- 
quently selected for the nest of the mocking-bird. 
‘ It is no great objection with him that these happen 
sometimes to be near the farm- or mansion-house ; 
always ready to defend, but not over-anxious to con- 
ceal, his nest, he very often builds within a small dis- 
tance of the house, and not unfrequently in a pear 
or apple tree ; rarely at a greater height than six or 
seven feet from the ground.’ 
“ Dry twigs and sticks form the outside of the nest ; 
then withered tops of weeds of the preceding year, 
intermixed with fine straws, hay, pieces of wool and 
tow ; and, lastly, a thick layer of fine, fibrous roots, 
of a light-brown color, lines the whole. There are 
four or five pale-blue eggs, marked with large 
blotches of brown. 
“ The food of the mocking-bird is chiefly persim- 
mons, grapes, and berries of various kinds, particu- 
larly those of the English ivy. Some one says : 
‘ We have an ancient plant adhering to the wall of 
the house, covering many yards of surface ; this vine 
is very fruitful, and here many would feed and lodge 
during the winter, and in very severe cold weather 
sit on the top of the chimney to warm themselves.’ ” 
