COMMON MOCKING-BIRD. 
191 
vigorously and with undaunted courage, but to meet the aggressor half way, 
and force him to abandon his intention. The only Hawk that occasionally 
surprises it is the Astur Cooperii, which flies low with great swiftness, and 
carries the bird off without any apparent stoppage. Should it happen that 
the ruffian misses his prey, the Mocking-bird in turn becomes the assailant, 
and pursues the Hawk with great courage, calling in the mean time all the 
•»« 
birds of its species to its assistance ; and although it cannot overtake the 
marauder, the alarm created by their cries, which are propagated in succession 
among all the birds in the vicinity, like the watchwords of sentinels on duty, 
prevents him from succeeding in his attempts. 
The musical powers of this bird have often been taken notice of by 
European naturalists, and persons who find pleasure in listening to the song 
of different birds whilst in confinement or at large. Some of these persons 
have described the notes of the Nightingale as occasionally fully equal to 
those of our bird, but to compare her essays to the finished talent of the 
Mocking-bird, is, in my opinion, quite absurd. 
The Mocking-bird is easily reared by hand from the nest, from which it 
ought to be removed when eight or ten days old. It becomes so very 
familiar and affectionate that it will often follow its owner about the house. 
I have known one raised from the nest kept by a gentleman at Natchez, that 
frequently flew out of the house, poured forth its melodies, and returned at 
sight of its keeper. But notwithstanding all the care and management 
bestowed upon the improvement of the vocal powers of this bird in 
confinement, I never heard one in that state produce anything at all 
approaching in melody to its own natural song. 
The male bird is easily distinguished in the nest, as soon as the brood is 
a little fledged, it being larger than the female, and shewing more pure white. 
It does not shrink so deep in the nest as the female does, at the sight of the 
hand which is about to lift it. Good singing birds of this species often bring 
a high price. They are long-lived and very agreeable companions. Their 
imitative powers are amazing, and they mimic with ease all their brethren 
of the forests or of the waters, as well as many quadrupeds. I have heard it 
asserted that they possess the power of imitating the human voice, but have 
never met with an instance of the display of this alleged faculty. 
Mocking-bird, Turdus polyglot tus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 14. 
Turdus polyglottcs, Bonap. Syn., p. 74. 
Mocking-bird, Turdus polyglottus, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 320. 
Mocking-bird, Turdus polyglottus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol.i. p. 108 ; vol. v. p. 438.. 
Male. 
Upper parts greyish-brown ; feathers of the wings and tail greyish-black : 
