Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-11-12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER ls, 1882.

OF Wilson's American Ornithology has recently
been published in London, together with the con-
tinuaiion of that work by Charles Lucien Bona
parte, published three or four years since by Ca
rev & Lea The critics paw high and merited
praise upon the additions OF the young Bona
parte, who, they justly say, shows no small Por-
ton of Wilson's enthusiasm, and fully equals
him in ability. The London edition comprises
series Of valuable notes upon the work, together
with an interesting account Of the life of vii
son, from the pen of Sir William Jardine, Ma
turalist of congenal mind, both in feeling and
talent. The folloaing interesting description OF
the American Mucking Bird, is extracted from
Wilson Often as this bird has been painted
we never have had the curious warbler SO COM
pietey brought before US:
:. The plumage 9fstbe mocking-bifd, though
none of the home has noth ing gaudy or bril-
liant i'm it, and. nothing else To recon-
mend him., would (eely enritle him 10 notice;
but hi. figure is well proportioned, and even
handsome The ease, elegance, and rapidity of
his movements, the animation of his eve. and the
intelligence he displays in listening and laying
I'D lessons from almnst every species OF the .ea-
tbered creation within his hearing. are really
surprising, aud mark the REGULARITY OF his geni
US To these qualities we may add that of a
voice fat, strong, and u,usit IL, and capable OF al
most every mudu.ation. from the clear mellow
tones of the woud thrush, 10 the savage scream
of the bald eagle. In measure and accent, he
faithfully follows his originals; IN force and sweet
ness of expression he greatly improves upon
them. In his native groves, mounted ou the
too of a tall bash or haf-grUwn tree, IN the
dawn of dewy morning, while the woods are
already vocal with a multitude Of warbers. his
admirable song rises pre- eminent over every com
pe,itor Ine ear can iSten TO his music alone,
to which that Of all others seems a mere accom-.
paniment
Neither is this strain altogether initiative: his
own native notes, which are easily distinguish
able by such as are well acquainted with those OF
our various song-hlrds. are bold and full, and
varied seemingly beyond all limits. They con-
sst 1t short expressions OF two, three, or, at the
most five or SIX syllables. generally interspersed
with limitations, and all Of them uttered with
great emphasis aud rapidity, and continued with
undiminishpd ardour Tor halt an hour or an hour
at a time. Ills expanded wings aud tail, glisten-
ing with white, and the buoyant gaety ct his ac-
ton. arreSting the eve as his song most irressti
bly, does the ear. he sweeps round with enthusi-
asuc ecstacy-he mounts and decends as his song
swalls or dies away--and. IA my friend, Mr.
Ba tram, has beautifully expressed it. he bounds
alott with the celebrity Of an arrow, as 1t to re-
cover or recall his very soul, expired IN the last
elevated strain While thus exprting himself,
Il person destitute ut sight would suppose that
the wh ,le feathered tribes had assembled tOge-
Their on trial of skill, each striving to produce
his utmost efact--so perfect are his limitations.
lie many times deceives the sportsman. and
sends him in search Of birds that perhaps are not
l..
initiates: even birds themselves frequently
imposed on BY this admirable mimic, and are de-
coved bv the fancied calls of their mates or dive
with oipitation intn the depths ut thickets at
the scream Of what they suppose to De the spar
row-haw&.
The hooking bird loses little of the power and
energy Of his song by confinement In mis- do
INVESTIGATED state. when he commences his career
OF song. IL is impossible to stand by uniDterested
He whistles for the dug-C9sar starts up. wags
his tail, and runs to meet his master; he squeaks
on, like a hurt chicken-and the hen hurries
about with hanging wings and bristling feathers,
clucking to protect its injured bruod. The bark
ing Of the dog, the mewng of the cat, the creak.
ing of a passing wheelbarrow, follow with great
truth and rapidity. He repeats the tune taught
him bv his master, though Of considerable length,
fully and faithfully; he runs over the quiver,ng
of the canarv. and the clear whstings Of the yin
sinia n,ghtengae, or red bird, with such superior
execution and effect, that the mortified songsters
feel their own ihferiority, and become altogether
silent. while he seems to triumph in their defeat
by rebuilding his exerton.."
Thanksgiving Day State Governors
seem each Of them to adopt formula ofhis own.
when appoiaiing Day Of Thanksgiving and
Prayer. The varieties Of style and their differ.
ent modes Of treating the same subject form
striking contrast with the antiquated and never
changing forms used in England and on the Cont.
nent Of Europe. In England. his Majesty al
ways begins - Bv and with the advice of his
Council" On the Continent their Majesties al
wsys end with i" Nav God have YOU in his holv