MOCKING BIRD. 
99 
of the head, neck, and back, are a dark, brownish ash, 
and when new moulted, a fine light gray ; the wings 
and tail are nearly black, the first and second rows of 
coverts tipt with white ; the primary coverts, in some 
males, are wholly white, in others, tinged with brown. 
The three first primaries are white from their roots as 
far as their coverts ; the white on the next six extends 
from an inch to one and three-fourths farther down, 
descending equally on both sides of the feather ; the tail 
is cuneiform, the two exterior feathers wholly white, 
the rest, except the middle ones, tipt with white ; the 
chin is white ; sides of the neck, breast, belly, and vent, 
a brownish white, much purer in wild birds than in 
those that have been domesticated ; iris of the eye, 
yellowish cream coloured, inclining to golden ; bill, 
black, the base of the lower mandible, whitish; legs 
and feet, black, and strong. The female very much 
resembles the male ; what difference there is, has been 
already pointed out in a preceding part of this account. 
The breast of the young bird is spotted like that of the 
thrush. 
Mr William Bartram observes of the mocking bird, 
that “ formerly, say thirty or forty years ago, they were 
numerous, and often staid all winter with us, or the year 
through, feeding on the berries of ivy, smilax, grapes, 
persimmons, and other berries. The ivy (Jiedera helex ) 
they were particularly fond of, though a native of 
Europe. 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.” 
He also adds, “ I have observed that the mocking bird 
ejects from his stomach through his mouth the hard 
kernels of berries, such as smilax, grapes, &c. retaining 
the pulpy part.”* 
* Letter from Mr Bartram to the author. 
