THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 263 
bird, with such superior execution and effect 
that the mortified songsters feel their own infe¬ 
riority, and become altogether silent, while he 
seems to triumph in their defeat by redoubling 
his exertions.’ 
“ We can bear ample testimony to the truth¬ 
fulness of this description from repeated exhi¬ 
bitions of a similar character witnessed during 
a residence in the South and South-west; and 
can there be one so dull as not to find special 
enjoyment in such communings with Nature? 
Alas for such! They will never understand 
why Audubon, Wilson, Agassiz, and many oth¬ 
ers could put aside moneyed inducements and 
forsake the refinements and comforts of society 
for the rough camp in the woods and mountains, 
in order to meet their favorites in their native 
haunts. 
“ One other trait of the mocking-bird must 
be referred to before he is dismissed from no¬ 
tice—his evident love of waggery, as shown by 
his practical jokes. As, for instance, hid in some 
close thicket or treetop, he will imitate the love- 
calls of the neighboring birds until he has filled 
the surroundings of his concealment with scores 
of amorous dupes, peeping with awakened curi- 
