Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-28
LISTEN TO THE MocKrNa BIRD.
Half . Thousand Of the Songstsrs In On
Cage.

SSSe.
HOW TO RAISE THEM AND GET rHE BEST ne-
suLrs-rHR ONLY WAY TO DISTINGUISH BE-
TWEEN TIE sExEs-A TALK WITH BIRD
FAScrER ABOUT AMERICAN MocKrSG BIRDS.
No BIRD IN FEATHERpoM ENJOYS A
greater popularity than the mocking bird.
II is the king-the great artist Of the feathered
musicians. Washington has lately been made
the supply center snd ever week hun ireds Of
the American Niehtingales, az they are some
times called, are shipped all over the country.
The birds never were 50 cheap and a good
songster may now be had for the same price as
a canary.
To learn something of the mocking bird q
reporter OF The STAR visited the bird man YES
terday and found him busily engaged opening
crate OF birds just from Texas.
How THEY ARE TRANSPORTED.
The crate was peculiarly constructed con-
Germ, contrived after great deal OF experience
in shipping birds. 1t consisted Of q long fat
box, with an apex-shaped cover Of stout cot
ton; The interior arrangement was novel. At
each end there was an automatic feeding water
cup. while the food troughs were located ON
each side, the contents being held in place by
wire netting. The birds could peck the food
out from between the interstices of the netting,
NHlte tle latter, on account OF ITS density,
could not shake out The birds were lively
and looked none the worse for their long Jour
ney. Forty-six was the number the box con-
tanned. and when shortly afterward they were
transferred to the big cage the bird mans stock
In trade of hooking birds numbered GA. As
soon as the birds had been transferred the bird
man turned to the reporter.
THE BIRD MANS TALK.
$50 you would like to know something about
mocking birds. WE'LL TO begin with, it is my
favorite bird and rivals the far-famed English
| nightingale. THE mocking bird, you know"
said the bird man. as he pushed n parrots head
| from between the bars of its cage, where it had
been caught, lis a Thoroughbred American.
He comes mostly from the southern states,
although he has been found in New England.
His plumnIe is not beautiful. but his LONELINESS
in this regard is lost sight of when you hear his
wonderful voice. He commences to sing when
about two months old. The first notes
weak, but the little musician becomes holder
with age, and continues to improve in voice
until he has passed three summers. when it is
Claimed he is in full song. No music was ever
sweeter than the hooking birds as he pours
forth his melodious strains in his native ele-
mcnt. When he is Gagged his voice assumes a
certain harshness now and then which he
learns from his habitation among men. He Is q
great mimic and initiates buzz saw as we'll as
a Growing rooster. He is very docile when
raised by hand and can easily be taught tricks
as wen as tunes Only the male bird Sings.
That is the rule, although the female has on
rare occasions been known to sing almost -
we'll.
DISTINGUISHING MALES
1.-THE great difficulty buyers experience il in
obtaining male. 1t is not easy to distinguish
the sexes SO closely do they resemble each
other. A shrewd Connecticut man some years
ago advertised that for 10 cents in stamps he
would disclose method whereby any one could
inn m Mi at.- " Aan 4haI l~a$
and a female mocking bird. A great many peo-
pie invested. did among them. When the reply
came this Is what received printed on O slip
of pink paper: Take two birds and put them
IN cage. Then get worm Carefully open
the cage door, being sure not to brighten the
birds. and throw the worm in. Now watch
carefully. If he gets it its he and if she gets
1t its she' 1t was great sell
THE ONLY WAY.
"The only way know of to distinguish be-
tween the sexes is by the marking Of the wings.
Catch your bird firmly by the body in the left
hand and spread out the wings. perfectly
marked male is called four-feather bird That
is commencing at the upper side of the wing, il
you can count four white feathers without any
splashes of black, the bird is a male 1t is not
necessary for bird to have four white feath-
ers to be o male, as three indicate the same
thing, but ii is absolutely necessary for the
feathers to be perfectly free from black
splashes. word about feeding and then
must leave you. Mocking birds are hardy and
with care live to good age. The diet must be
carefully looked after. Prepared food is ex-
cellent and 1 use it altogether alternating,
however, with little carrot mixeu in it or a
mixture of hard-boiled egg and potato. A
meal worm is good now and then, and berries.
when in season, are very good. 1 forgot to
mention one thing which is absolutely neces-
sary to even a brief description Of the hooking
bird, and that is this: Not day passes but
some person brings o bird back, declaring
that it is a female and won't sing. This is the
breeding season and for two weeks they don't
sing to any extent. The only other time they
are silent is in the moulting season"