324 
PASSERIFORMES 
703. Mockingbird, lb grand moqueur. Mimus polygloltos. L, 10-50. A large 
Catbird in appearance without black cap or red under the tail; almost white below and 
with large amounts of white in wing and tail (Figure 416). 
Distinctions, The above characters will separate the 
Mockingbird from the Catbird. It closely resembles the 
shrikes in coloration, but is without the conspicuous 
black patch across the eyes (See Plate LIV B). 
Field Marks. General greyness and white patches 
on wing and tail with absence of black face mask. 
Nesting. In thickets of coarse twigs and weed stalks 
in nests lined with rootlets and shreds of cotton. 
Distribution. Southern United States north into 
Canada at the western end of Lake Erie. This is the 
only locality where the species has obtained what ap- 
E roaches an established foothold in Canada. A few pairs 
ave been known to summer there for the last decade. 
Lately stray individuals have been seen in southern 
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and in southwestern 
British Columbia. Whether they will form permanent 
settlement there is yet to be seen (See remarks under 
Carolina Wren, page 320). 
SUBSPECIES. The Mockingbird is divided into 
two forms. Mimus polygloltos polyglottos T the Eastern 
Mockingbird (le Grand Moqueur de l’Est), is the one occurring in the east. The Western 
Mockingbird (le Grand Moqueur de l’Ouest) Mimus polyglottos leucopterus is probably 
the one that has wandered to southern British Columbia. The subspecific identity of the 
prairie occurrences is doubtful. 
The species is rare in Canada. It is very similar to the Catbird and 
most of what is said of that species applies with even greater force to the 
Mockingbird, for it is in many ways only a glorified Catbird and is prob- 
ably the finest native singer in America. 
704. Catbird, le merle-chat. Dumetella carolinensis. L, 8-94. Plate LIV B 
Evenly slate-grey all over except for a black cap and chestnut undertail-coverts. 
Distinctions. Not likely to be mistaken for any other species. In spite of uniform 
greyness like the dipper an entirely different looking and acting bird — -long and slender, 
with long tail and black cap. A brush-haunter with no particularly aquatic habits. 
Field, Marks. Even grey colour with black cap and sprightly habits. Its character- 
istic call, a cat-like “Meouw f n has given the bird its name. Another common note is like 
“ Ma-ry " many times repeated and has suggested the homely name of Mary-bird. Its 
song is very fluent and easily distinguished from the similar one of the Brown Thrasher 
by its consisting of single phrases. 
Nesting. In thickets or densely foliaged shrubs, nest of twigs, grasses, and leaves 
lined with rootlets. 
Distribution, Most of temperate North America. In Canada, across the southern 
part of the Dominion west to the coast in southern British Columbia. 
Though the acknowledged vocal inferior of the Mockingbird, the 
Catbird at its best rises to a high position as a songster, but there is much 
individual variation and while one bird may be of prima-donna rank, an 
excellent singer, the next may be quite ordinary in voice and performance. 
Much depends on the sounds it hears, as it is a mocker by disposition and 
inclination, and it takes the agonizing squeak of an ungreased wagon wheel 
or a rusty barn-door hinge as a model as readily as more agreeable sounds. 
But even with such parenthetic interpolations occasionally introduced the 
song of the Catbird is a remarkably fine performance when listened to 
with an understanding ear. Those to whom it has become endeared by 
association might not trade it for a more consistently perfect performance. 
A good Catbird song needs no excuse or apology. Its common plaintive 
Figure 416 
Mockingbird; scale, L 
