MOCKING BIRD. 
325 
he spreads and closes his light and fanning wings, ex- 
pands his silvered tail, and, with buoyant gayety and en- 
thusiastic ecstacy, he sweeps around, and mounts and de- 
scends into the air from his lofty spray, as his song swells 
to loudness, or dies away in sinking whispers. While 
thus engaged, so various is his talent, that it might be 
supposed a trial of skill from all the assembled birds of the 
country ; and so perfect are his imitations, that even the 
sportsman is at times deceived, and sent in quest of birds 
that have no existence around. The feathered tribes 
themselves are decoyed by the fancied call of their 
mates ; or dive with fear into the close thicket, at the 
well-feigned scream of the hawk. 
Soon reconciled to the usurping fancy of man, the 
Mocking-bird often becomes familiar with his master ; 
playfully attacks him through the bars of his cage, or at 
large in a room ; restless and capricious, he seems to 
try every expedient of a lively imagination, that may 
conduce to his amusement. Nothing escapes his dis- 
cerning and intelligent eye or faithful ear. He whis- 
tles perhaps for the dog, who, deceived, runs to meet his 
master ; the cries of the chicken in distress bring out 
the clucking mother to the protection of her brood. — 
The barking of the dog, the piteous wailing of the puppy, 
the mewing of the cat, the action of a saw, or the creak- 
ing of a wheelbarrow, quickly follow with exactness. 
He repeats a tune of considerable length ; imitates the 
warbling of the Canary, the lisping of the Indigo bird, 
and the mellow whistle of the Cardinal, in a manner so 
superior to the originals, that mortified and astonished, 
they withdraw from his presence, or listen in silence, 
as he continues to triumph by renewing his efforts. 
In the cage also, nearly as in the woods, he is full of 
life and action, while engaged in song ; throwing him- 
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