Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-03-20
THE M0CKING BIRD.
For the standard.

ihC iuicI uIuisIi gray vi tut IlOCh-
ing birds plumage, in which the white
feathers OF the tail and wings scarcely
show except in flight, would make him
very incOnspicuous were it not for his
elegant form and wonderful voice.
Though most of them remain during
the winter in the latitude OF Arkansas,
they are not in full song until spring,
and then a whole choir of winged
singers fit about the trees pouring
forth melodies that have never yet
been described, so free, so wild and
rich, that
The golden dome of morning
Seems to shatter into song"
They are fond OF human society and
often build their nests in trees close
to the house, or in the climbing roses
and honeysuckles that shade the yer.
anda, and it is seldom that any one is
so faithless to their trust as to disturb
or rob them of their young. They
raise two broods each season and re-
turn year after year to the same nest
ing place when nothing occurs to pre-
vent.
A lew years ago mocking bird
came to Lidas window, and every day
for weeks, for ten minutes at a time,
amused himself by jumping up and
hitting his feet and bill against the
glass. He did not wish to come in for
he flew away if the sash was raised,
coming back when it was lowered.
Finally a perch was arranged which
seemed to be great convenience to
him in executing his singular move
ments. Food OF various kinds to suit
his fancy was kept in large cage, the
door being fastened open, and the bird
never feared to enter as he found him.
self at perfect liberty to come and go
as he chose. Ida often went into the
vegetable garden and found some of
those fat white grubs OF which all in
sect-eating birds are so fond and show
ing them to him in her hand as he
watched her from u tree near by,
would then lay them on the fence
when he came to eat them, for he
could never be quite persuaded to take
the dainties from her hand.
A tree grew near the house covered
with vine bearing berries liked by
both blue jays and mocking birds, and
for half an hour at time I have
watched eight jays disputing its pos
session with our little friend. Some
times all alighted at once on different
parts of the tree, to be chased and
pecked by the mocking bird till they
flew away. Then coming back by
twos and fours they were in turn
driven off when others took their
places, but the brave little bird never
gave up the contest till every jay had
gone not to return. His nest was in
climbing rose, and as one OF the young
birds of the second raising persisted in
falling out again and again, it was
finally brought into the house for fear
it might be killed by cat. 1t had
such good care that it soon outgrew
fits fellows, and not being confined to a
cage flew all about the house and
sometimes out of doors, but when we
went to look for him usually the first
intimation we had OF his being near
was to feel his sharp little claws as he
lit on our shoulders. In some inscru-
able way, he always found out if any
one was writing, and standing on the
desk would watch his chance to peck
at the point OF the pen making many
wild looking hieroglyphics to be apol-
ogized for. For fear the ink might in
jure him he was obliged to submit to
having his bill wiped and our writing
continued, with the other hand pro-
tecting the page. Then he would
watch what was going on perched on
our heads. occasionally pulling our
hair. or fly to the top of a picture
frame, where he was fond of sitting to
preen his feathers, or have nap.
One of his amusements was picking
up long strings and flying about with
them in his bill, another was to stand
on q newspaper while he tore off little
bits, and to pull the pins and needles
from a cushion was his delight. He
knew his friends, for when brought
into room where there were strangers
he invariably flew to members of the
family. His uncertain foot-hold, when
he lit on the bald head of pater tamil
las made it necessary for him to al
most clinch his claws to keep his posi-
ton, which caused his master to omit
the laugh that passed round the fam.
lily circle at this exploit. He would
gladly have taken his meals with US
at the table, but as he preferred to
help himself it was only occasionally
he was allowed there when willing to
sit on Lida's shoulder and eat from
her fingers.
1t is interesting to watch a wild
mOcking bird tantalize q cat. He
perches where he is apparently within
her reach, and when she is just about
to spring, with her mouth quivering
with anticipation and her whole frame