MOCK ORANGE, a name applied in Eng land to the Syringa (q.v.), and in the United States to the Prunus caroliniana, a small ever green resembling the cherry-laurel.
a species of hickory (q.v.) a familiar and cele brated songster of the southern part of the United States (Mimus polyglottus), represent ing a genus of thrush-like wrens, many other species of which are known in Mexico, Central America and West Indies. North of Delaware it is seldom seen outside a cage; but even in winter they are sometimes seen in Central Park, New York, and they are fond of human society. The plumage of all is bluish-gray and white, with no striking ornaments but much elegance of outline and tint. Their habits differ little from those of thrushes and other migra tory, insect-eating birds, but they show great courage in defending their nest (generally of four to six eggs), placed usually in a bush or small tree, against cats, snakes and similar ene mies. The young, when taken from the nest for domestication, should be removed at an early period; or if taken later, they are generally removed by means of trap-door cages. The ordinary song notes of the mocking-birds are clear, bold and varied. They sing during the night, like the nightingales, and appear to begin their song with the rising moon. The imitative notes of these birds are, however, still more varied than their natural tones. They mimic with success the songs of their feathered neigh bors and with such exactitude as to deceive the ear of the most experienced sportsman. When
they are kept in confinement all the sounds of the household, as well as the mewing of cats, the barking of dogs, the cry of an in jured chicken and the screech of the hawk are all exactly imitated. They are hardy and re quire only ordinary care and attention to live contentedly for many years in any moderate climate. The mountain mocking-bird (Oro scoptes nwntanus) of the Rocky Mountain re gion and the various "thrashers° (q.v.) are relatives not greatly inferior in song; while the mocking-wren (see WREN) is a more distant relative highly gifted in imitative powers.
Augustus, Eng lish military expert and author: b. Ireland, 18%. He was educated at Cheltenham College and Sandhurst, and entered the army in 1876. From 1900-03 he was professor of topography at Sandhurst Military College, and he acted as map editor on the British official history of the South African War (1903-07). He was employed as General Staff Officer, 1st Grade (1914-16). He has published 'Up the Niger: Narrative of Maj. Claude Macdonald's Mis sion' (1892) ; 'In the Northman's Land' (1896); 'British West Africa' (1898) ; of Sandhurst' (1900) ; 'British Nigeria' (1902); 'Oxfordshire Light Infantry Chron icle) (21 vols., 1892-1913) ; 'Military Geography of the Balkan Peninsula' (1905) ; 'Regimental War Tales' (1915).