Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-05-30
rae aoekias.sira IN Florida.

4 fine mocking bird Nmps golyglotta.
Is king of the grove, bat his more im
mediate dominion is Ia close proximlgy
10 the house. Near the he.lge ol Span
ish-hsyonets Is a small cypress comp
plelely covered BY a native grapevine
forming pyramid of living green
This is his throne which he mounts
and where he eelipses all the songster'
with his wonderful aud varied music,
aud at the same time he can overlook
the hedge. Shich he considers his ex-
elusive p perty.
The fruit OF Ire Spanish-bayonet is
about the size of the banana, and grows
in large cluster at the top of the plant.
When fully ripe il is soft aud sweet,
and highly relished by many birds.
The eardinal-gros-beak, long-billed
thrush, and the cat-bird, a. well rs the
mOeking bird, are all fond OF the fruit,
and sometimes attempt to plunder; but
while this tyrant moeking king is on
guard, no bird except his mate is al
lowed 70 touch It.
His throne forms very pretty arbor,
where he retires at night and during
rainy days. When he is away from
home ! often step in; bat he is seldom
so lar away but that his keen eyes see
me, and hear his scolding note, which
| always promptly obey. Nothing will
40 quickly make a bird familiar as 10
show him that he can drive us; and
following this up with patience and
care, he will soon confide in us, and
learn our voice, and manifest delight
upon meeting us. This is specially true
of the mOcking-bird and his cousin the
cat bird. But the mocking-bird of East
Florida Is less confiding than our north
ern cat-bird, for the very good reason
that he looks upon man as an enemy
who robs him OF his young; and this
shyness or distrust upon the part of this
glorious bird of songster, is in large
part attributable 10 the rapacity of north
ern visitors, who sometimes pay as high
As fifty dollars Tor good singer. As
long as this continues We cannot ex-
pect the birds to eonfide in Us without
much care and labor.
Nearly two weeks, with the greatest
caution upon my part, were necessary
before could approach this mocking
kings domain without hearing his
threatening cry. He seemed determined
10 keep at a safe distance until he found
he could drive me; then he ventured
nearer; and now ! have gained his con-
fidence, sufficiently 80 that he listens to
my nonsense, He turns his head III
comlcal manner, first one side and then
the other, and looks down upon me In
a sort Of patronizing way, as II plying
my poor attempts at bird language.
Then he raises himself in dignlfled
manner and pours forth such strain
u music that am humbled in his pres
encc.
Thi- Characteristic ruling power Of
the mocking-bird Il male available by
good observers. A Methodist clergyman
acToss the river, In the neigh
borhood Of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Informs me that mocklng-bIrd saved
bis grapes. One bird will do compare
lively little damage IN vineyard; he l.
! light feeder % food, aud has habit
Df returning 10 the same spot. IN the
great cluster Of fruit of the Spanish
Dayonet he works Systematically; he
lOes not peck the whole cluster indis-
but takes one berry at
line, and this one last him several days.
20 among grapes, he has particular
pot where he feeds, but he OyerlOOks
md takes care Of all within his dOmin-
on. II these bir1s are uDnolested by
nan, they VIII regulate their own
sfrairs 20 a. 70 assist him.
The clergyman above mentioned had
! near neigbbOr, who, finding mock
ng-bird eating hls grapes, shOt him.
Lawlessness now Teigned among the
birds. and the neIgbbor kept on shoot
ng until large number were siaugbt-
red. The result was he lOst all Of his
<raDes.