MOCKING-BIRD, or Moextgo-Tuntsti (illimus or Orpheus), a genus of birds of the family merulithe, having a more elongated form than the true thrushes, a longer tail, shorter wings, and the upper mandible more curved at the tip. They are all American. The best known species, the mocking-bird of the United States (31. polyglottus), is about time size of the song-thrush; the upper parts of a dark brownish ash color, the wings and tail nearly black, the under parts brownish white. The mocking-bird is common in all parts of America, from the s. of New England to Brazil; n, of the Delaware, it is only a summer visitant, but in more southern regions it is found at all seasons. It is one of the most common birds of the West Indies, and its exquisite song fills their groves with melody by night, for which reason it is there very generally known as the night ingale. By day, the mocking-bird is generally imitative, excelling all birds in its power of imitation, now taking up the song of one bird, and now of another, and often deceiv ing the most practiced ear by its perfect performance. By night, its song is for the most part natural. It does not confine itself, however, to musical strains; it, seems to take equal pleasure in repeating the harshest cries of the feathered tribes; and in domestication readily adds to its accomplishments the imitation of almost any sound which it is accus tomed to hear, passing from one to another with great rapidity, so as to produce an incomparable medley. The mockingbird readily learns to whistle a tune, even of con
siderable length, but• i3 no well:antheOcafed instance of its imitating the human voice. The barking of a dog, the mcwitig of a cat, the crowing of a cock, the cackling of a hen, the creaking of a wheelbarrow, are all within the compass of its powers. Dor lug its performances, it spreads its wings, expands its tail, and throws itself about as it full of enthusiasm and enjoyment. The mocking-bird is vocal at all seasons of the year. It enjoys almost everywhere the protection of man, and often makes its nest in a tut e or bush close beside a house. Two or three broods are produced in a year. The male is extremely attentive to his mate, and manifests extraordinary courage in driving away enemies from the nest. Mocking-birds often assemble on such occasions, and birds of prey, far superior to them in size and strength, are compelled to retreat. Snakes are killed by reiterated blows on the head, and cats learn to consider the vicinity of a mock ing-bird's nest unsafe. The food of the mocking-bird consists chiefly of berries and insects. Another species of mocking-bird is found in the Rocky mountains, and spe cies of the same genus are among the finest song-birds of the temperate parts of South America.