The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-09-22
For IHE CALEDONIAN
TIFF. MOO Ki\(;-BIRD.

lands. l. is migratory III the States north
of the Delaware, but in some parts of the
South it is resident 1t prefers low, fiat
country, near the sea, and therefore the in
lard states are seldom favored with its pres
cnce. The size, or plumage Of the hooking
bird, do not render it conspicuous or attract
i've Wilson says that its medium length is
nine and a half inches, its breadth thirteen.
The upper part Of its head, neck, and back.
are brown, the wings and tail nearly black,
and the sides Ct the neck, and the breast, a
browni>h white.
This bird has obtained a great celebrity,
through the extent and variety Of its vocal
mowers Here it is un~;vn!loi nv IS ~
!,",icscu IrIDc, either in this or any other
country. Some foreigners have attempted
TO show that the European nightingale is a
better singer; but Shakespeare says, THE
nightingale, if she should sing by day, when
every goose is cackling, would be thought no
better musician than wren" How then
ran it possibly be compared to the bird,
whose notes, varied and combined with so
much skill, in the broad light of day catch
every ear, and chain the fancy "till all other
sounds are quite forgot ~
At the North. this bird is somewhat shv ::
but in The Southern States it seems to court
the friendship and acquaintance of mankind
In Georgia. its song is often heard through
out the month of March, and early in tie
month Of April it begins to build its nest on
some low tree before the planters door
the sunny South. in some still, quiet village,
almost hidden by the tall pine trees, and the
thick oak woods. You have not long been
there, and so have few acIuaintanccs YOU
i never lived before with men, who sometimes
were all @rntlencsS and love, and then put
on the voice of tyrant>, and let fall the thick
and wclaimcd blows upon the poor slaves
back and SO you hardly like the few ac-
Tuain'ances YOU have We will begin the
day with you, and see how far the hooking
bird contributes to your happiness.
The morning dawns. the glorious sun, his
daily course begun, shines through the OXEN
window on your sleepy face. You partially
awake and hear no lumbcrin. tones OF col
ie"c bell, but pleasing sounds. that seem to
your halt drowsy sense the music OF choir
of birds of every kind Won ever saw in all
your life. But lively is the song. and now.
full wide awake, YOU smile at the dclu ion.
and then laugh, good spontaneous laugh, to
witness how that little bird beneath your
window moduatcs and varies his most won
drous lay; and so you jump up laughing
And now walk before the last bell calls
You TO \ breakfast of hot coffee, and some
h,tter-cakcs for it will be right hot-vc>.
piping hot. in few hours
on then to the wool Won 90. along those
paths. those many winding paths, whose be-
ginning and Whole end YOU know so we'll Nv
oft trcInentinc. Here again the hooking
bird MARBLES his song, and puts YOU in m ed
20 sing. Iou tune up
''New England, New England, n.v home The
Ny heart. as wander turns fonllv To- thee;
And bicS: be the hour when nv il-rilla 20 a. rr
-htil i: by the hcartlI>toMe and leave it TO
more.
Bat neither your voice nor the sentiment
& YOUR song. harmonic with The music. of
'hr' hi:d, which interpreted means, Cheer
u; H. re, listen to me, and not 20 mopinr a
l"n1 This bright Spring morning. humm;ny
tat !on"~ick ditty. Srrh advice cannot
b. resisted. You imbibe much of the low
anI iG,c'!ora of this little bird and thank God
for the sweet tones of nature. But the hour,
wear away, and row the san has set, that
>corchnc syn, whose rays, r, hected hv the
clear whit sand. have made The atmosphere
so hot that 1909 Fahrenheit can scarcely
measure il. The moon shines bright to-
night, and gives LIGHT that makes the nioht
as day almost. Weary of the oppressive
heat AMI labor of the working hours, Won
lathe, and seek your couch for rest. Thro'
the open window comes the cooling breeze.
fragrant from the .ifssamine blossoms that fill
the garden near. And now the mockinohir]
his sweetest notes combines, TO serve Won for
a lullaby. Under its Somniferous Influence
your thoughts wander, and YOU sleep, to
dream Of hooking birds. But "Ci!us i'm
perfectus prevents your quiet rest. You
wake near midnight. Again, at this still, oui :
ct hour. YOU lie and listen to the mockinc-
bird, whose song has been prolonged 50 late
and still he sings as free as ever. and will
sing the long night through. The mockinc-
bird Is often Gagged. and sold at prices vary
ING from ten to one hundred dollars. Rut
If taken when fully grown, they do rot sine
while in confinement. They sorrow for their
native freedom. and will not repay our cru-
city 10y a merry song. II this bird is caucbt
when young, and trained, it may be learned
to sing many pretty song. have seen one
that co nd sing, with great correctness. "B;l.
'y Martin" "Old Zip Coon" and "Yapkce
Doodle" But | trust many of us nav have
the pleasure of hearing this remarka able birds
song some day in its native wilds: s, 7 will
write no more
STUDENT AT THE Soy-ru.