18 
MINUS POLYGLOTTUS. 
These birds are quite epicures in their way, and not only eat prickly pears, but feed upon 
oranges, the berries of the palmetto, and other small fruits. They also eat worms, beetles, flies, 
and the larvae of other insects. I have found the stomach of a single individual crammed with 
nearly all these articles of food, with the addition of a tonic in the shape of small pebbles or 
pieces of shells. On account of this changeable diet it is difficult to make specimens, taken 
when adult, live in confinement; they must be captured when quite young, and thus become 
accustomed to such food as can be readily procured for them. When they are brought north, 
however, the change of climate destroys a great many ; but they are more easily kept in the 
south, and nearly every one who has a taste„for pets possesses one or more. 1 visited a 
museum at Savannah, Georgia, in which living animals were exhibited ; and where among other 
attractions was an immense cage in which were many species of small birds, including several 
Mocking Birds, one of which behaved in a very odd manner. It would fly violently at my hand 
when I placed it against the bars of the cage, twittering angrily, and would not be satisfied until 
I withdrew it. It paid no attention to the keeper, however, who informed us that it always 
assailed strangers in this way. Individuals in a state of nature also appear to have eccentric 
habits; I knew one that had taken a fancy to perch on the top of an old stub, and which 
was always found there at certain times during the day. If driven away it would return when 
we had moved to a little distance. Indeed it seems to be a general habit with this species to 
perch on some elevated situation ; in this they resemble the Shrikes, and their method of flight 
is similar, being slow but steady. 
The breeding season in Florida is about the first of April, but the young were barely hatched 
at Wilmington, North Carolina, in the last week in May. In Florida the nests are usually 
placed in orange trees within a few feet of the ground, and often quite near dwellings. Indeed, 
I once found one within five yards of an inhabited negro shanty. The birds would alight upon 
the tree without the slightest apparent fear, although I stood at the foot of it; in fact I have 
always found this species unsuspicious when in the vicinity of habitations, but in the wilder 
sections they are shy, and extremely difficult to approach. 
Contrary to the usual habits of birds I have never known these to sing their full song 
previous to the season of incubation. In winter they are generally silent, having only some 
harsh alarm notes; but as spring advances they commence a low sputtering song, as if they had 
not yet acquired sufficient energy to render it loud and clear. I heard them singing in this 
manner at Jacksonville, while they were building their nests, and for a long time was under the 
impression that the JMocking Birds of Florida could not sing as well as those from Virginia. I 
frequently questioned the inhabitants about this peculiarity, when they always informed me that 
the birds could sing very finely, and were indignant when I told them that I had heard better 
songs from caged birds at the north. I was not undeceived upon this point until I visited Lake 
Harney, in the latter part of May, 1872. We had crossed the portage from Indian Biver, where 
these birds are not very common during the breeding season, and had arrived at Lake Harney 
after dark. We pitched our tents by the side of a palmetto grov6, and retiring slept soundly after 
our fatiguing journey, but were awakened in the morning by what seemed a perfect concert of 
bird voices, which, as they came from one point, we knew must be produced by a single 
individual; but it was not until I had satisfied myself by actual inspection that I would believe 
it to be a Mocking Bird ; and when we perceived it was so we paused in amazement to listen. The 
clear, mellow whistle of the Bed Bird, the garrulous notes of the Jay, the continuous warble of 
the Great Carolina Wren, Bob White’s abrupt call, the low but lovely song of the Pine-wood 
Finch, followed by the harsh scream of the Hawk, were all mingled, without system, with strains 
of his own, and those of many other birds, but in such a manner, and were given with such 
power, that the effect was surpassingly tine. He had even caught the Bobolink’s fragmentary 
attempts, which it first practices while passing northward, and incorporated this into its lay, in 
