cxx:xiv Tcedid®. BIKDS. Tuedidjs. 
habitation. It inhabits the wliole of Nortli Aineilca, 
from the cold rej^ions of the extreme nortli to the 
Gulf States, tliongli they do not often breed fartlier 
south than Virginia. 'I'liey are called by the set- 
tlers around Ilndson’s Hay, Ked-birds ; and in otlier 
northern localities the American Field-fares. 
'I’lie American llobin.or Migratory Thrush, is quite 
a different bird from the Robin-redbreast of Europe; 
the latter being veiy much smaller and a member of 
another family, the Si/lviidcB, in which belongs the 
Nightingale. A variety, conlinis, is called Cape St. 
Lucas Robin. 
GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH {Turdus alicice).— This 
sjjecies is very nearly like the Olive-backed Thrush. 
It is darker than the latter; exhibits an ashy shade 
on the sides of the head, and a white ring around the 
eye. It iidiabits the Mississippi region to the Mis- 
souri. 
VARIED THRUSH [Turdus nmius) is a large bird, 
closely like the Robin in size, and general form and 
appearance. It is of the same length of the latter, 
but its wings and tail are somewhat shorter. It is 
also readily distinguished by its difference in color 
and markings. 'I’he Varied Thi'ush is nearly confined 
to the Pacific Coast of North America, though strag- 
glers have been seen on Long Island and near Poston. 
MOCKING-BIRD [Mimus polyglottus) Plate 10, 
fig. 34. — This, the most notable songster in America, 
and deservedly considered as equal to the cherished 
Nightingale of Europe, is an inhabitant of both 
Noi'tli and South America, but is not found on 
the eastern continent. It is larely seen in the 
New England States, where it is considered a 
straggler; though Mr. Allen, of Springfield, asserts 
that it has been known to breed near that place 
several times. In one instance, he remarks, “the 
pair was secured, with the nest and eggs.” Of 
the bird, Wilson says : “ Though rather a shy bird 
in the Northern States, here he appeared almost 
half domesticated, feeding on the cedars, and among 
the thicket of smilax that lined the roads, while 
I passed within a few feet; playing around the 
planter’s door, and hopping along the shingles.” 
The Mocking-bird breeds more freely in the Middle 
States; in April he is seen to be preparing his nest 
in the Gulf States. In Pennsylvania he bestirs him- 
self for this event during the first week in May ; and 
still later in New York and the more northern limits 
of its range. He is like the Robin, fond of the culti- 
vated thickets near human habitations, and builds, 
usually, quite near them. Describing the general 
appearance of this bird, Wilson says : “The plumage 
of the Mocking-bird, though none of the homeliest, 
has nothing gaudy or brilliant in it, and, had he noth- 
ing else to recommend him, would scarcely entitle 
him to notice; but his figure is well proportioned, 
and even handsome. The ease, elegance and rapidity 
of his movements, the animation of his eye, and the 
intelligence he displays in listening and laying up 
lessons from almost every species of the feathered 
creation within his hearing, are really surprising, and 
mark the peculiarity of his genius, fi’o these quali- 
ties we may add that of a voice full, strong and 
musical, and capable of almost every modulation, 
from the clear, mellow tones of the Wood Tln ush to 
the savage scream of the Paid Eagle. In measure 
and accent he faithfully follows his originals. In 
force and sweetness of expression, he greatly im- 
proves on them. In his native groves, mounted 
on the top of a tall bush or half-grown tree, in the 
dawn of dewy morning, while the woods are already 
vocal with a multitude of warblers, his adnilrable 
song rises preeminent over every competitor. 'I'he 
ear can listen to 7iis music alone, to which that of 
all others seems a mere accompaniment. Neither is 
this strain altogether imitative. His own native 
notes, which are easily distinguished by such as are 
well acquainted with those of our various song birds, 
are bold and full, and varied seemingly beyond all 
limits. 'I'hey consist of short expressions of two, 
three, or at most five or six syllables, generally in- 
terspersed with imitations, and all of them uttered 
with great emphasis and rapidity, and conti.uued, 
with undiminished ardor, for a half an hour or an 
hour at a time. His expanded wings and tail, glis- 
tening with white, and the buoyant gayety of his 
action, arresting the eye, as his song most irresistibly 
does the ear, he sweeps round with enthusiastic ecstasy 
— he mounts and descends as his song swells or dies 
away, and, as my friend Partram has beautifidly 
expressed it, 'He bounds aloft with the celerity of 
an arrow, as if to recover or recall his very soul, ex- 
[)ired in the last elevated strain.’ AVhile thus ex- 
erting himself, a bystander destitute of sight, would 
suppose that the whole feathered tribes had assem- 
bled together on a ti'ial of skill, each striving to 
produce its utmosteffect, so perfect are his imitations.” 
We have quoted very fully fi'om Wilson’s delightful 
account of this bird, feeling that the reader can no- 
where find a more truthful or interesting recital. 
One domesticated Mocking-bird of our acquaintance 
neighed \\i close imitation of a Horse; and another 
mocked the weird notes of the Whip-poor-will. On 
the Florida reef this bird makes its appearance in 
considerable numbers for a few days at a time during 
the winter months, but is always entirely sifewi there. 
We have often received familiar visits from them 
within the enclosed veranda, and even in the house 
interior, where they would accept the proffered food, 
but have never uttered a note. 
THE CAT-BIRD [Mimus carolinensis ) — Plate IV, 
fig. ii. — This is one of the most familiar of our native 
birds, known to all the country-side of the Northern 
States by its characteristic cat-like notes. Doth 
male and female have the habit, besides the utter- 
ance of song like that of the Prown Thrush, of pro- 
ducing notes like the mewing of a Gat. 'I’he Gat- 
bird is one of the first visitors in spring. It breeds 
in New England and the Northern States, as far 
west as the Missouri River. It is, like the Robin 
and Mocking-bird, fond of human society, if we may 
judge from its almost invariable custom in frequent- 
ing the settled neighborhoods. It builds its nest 
and lays about the last week in Miiy, or first in June, 
and has four to five eggs of a bright, deep, emerald 
green. To a certain extent, the Gat-bird is a mocker ; 
