Evening star., 1897-03-13

<NXM&ENAE ern Mexico, and
hoped to be in Washington i'm time to see
Mckinley inaugurated, but the monkeys
got sick on the way and he was compelled
to stop off. His trip, however, was an un-
usually lucky one, and only eight mocking
birds died on the long journey.
There are few of the old-time trappers
to be seen nowadays, and Jake is a true
representative of that hardy class that have
disappeared from civilization. The bird
fanciers in the east claim all their time.
The exciting ride after the buffalo has been
succeeded by the tame sport of bird catch
ing. But there is money in it, and as this
is the desideratum, there is no grumbling.
A reporter of The Star hunted him up last
evening and had long talk with the
acknowledged authority on mocking birds.
Jake is tall, angular man, with bronzed
features, a typical trapper in fact. AL
though past the middle of life. he is lively,
and his bright eyes dance as he rehearses
some exploit of the plains. In his early
days he was a guide, and the lone star
state is responsible for his existence. He
recalls with pleasure the early days on the
frontier. the numerous brushes he has had
with the greasers, and the superb hunting
that is now but a memory. He remembers
the large herds of buffalo that frequented
Texas but a few years ago, and sadly re-
lates the merciless slaughter that exter
minated them. When wagon trains with
emigrants no more sought homes in the
great southwest Jakes business as guide
failed. He then became a hunter, and
later, hearing of the big prices paid in the
east for mockng birds, and seeing an un-
limited supply in sight. he became bird
catcher. Jake was in a reminiscent mood
last night and talked at length
The Mocking Bird.
.Of course l like the bird-catchiEg bus
mess. 1t amt much sport, but it keeps me
out in the country, away from the city. and
brings me enough money to keep this old
hulk af1oat. A mockins bird is a curious
fellow. He can beat any bird l ever heard
singing can fight like old Sullivan used to,
and, all in all, is the happiest little bird
that flies. He isn't much TO look at that
is, he hasn't red feathers and green wings,
but when 1t comes to shape. he Is entitled
to the front row in the ballet. Then look
at the sense the bird has. He can enter
tain you all day with songs, and never re-
peat. One minute we hear him whistle Ike
a canary, the next like cat bird and next
he sends every bird to cover with his re-
n.arkable imitation OF a hawk. Anywhere
in the south you can find them, but away
down there in Texas in the low, swampy
country he is more at home, and any
bright morning now the woods are re-
sounding with his merry song. His song
is sweetest just now, for he is flirting and
has an eye for matrimony. Next month
he gets down to business and takes unto
himself partner. They build their nest
in some low bush tree, seldom more
than eight feet from the ground. and in
the midst of dense thicket. Two hroods
are Matched each season. During the nest
ing season. the mocking bird evinces a
great jealousy for the nest and nothing
Is permitted to approach it.
They fight to the death for their little
ones. 1t takes fourteen days Of constant
attention before the eggs hatch. The little
birds are easily reared, and live for the
most part on berries. Now and then a fat
spider is added to the food. and they grow
with great raridity. There are some peo-
pie who prefer to have these neStlings for
raising, but experienc has taught me that
the best birds for singing are the young
healthy ones that have learned to fly Be
fore he is two months old the male bird
begins to sing, and from that time On until
old age, save during the molting season,
he keeps things merry.
How They Are Caught.
How do 1 catch them? It's easy enough
It's to keep them healthy that requires the
greatest care. Usually 1 take my outfit in
the mocking bird country and pitch my
tent near a thicket. where 1 have noticed
the birds to be plentiful. Before the sun
rises my traps are In position, and before
the sun has got we'll up in the heavens
the days work is ever. A cage with a
false door and captive bird is the device
l usually employ. You know, mocking
birds are great fighters and most inauisf-
tive When they espy strange bird in a
cage they Immediately commence an in
vestigation. That's what gets ehem into
trouble. There's a sudden spring. and then
l collect him for the bird fanciers 1t is
all a mistake to say that captive birds do
not sing as well as those that are free
will admit that the constant noises of a
city do not furnish many beautiful notes
Tor the bird TO initiate, but, generally
speaking. there is little difference IN the
songs.
Difference in Sex
'The first question a would-be purchaser
asks of bird dealer is: How do YOU
know that this is male bird?' They know
well enough that the female birds do not
make good songsters. although there are
times during the year when the female
sings as well as the male. Why, one of the
finest whistlers l ever heard in my life
was a female No one knew it unit! one
morning little light blue egg with large
brown spots was found in the cage That
was before 1 went into the bird catching
business. Now 1 defy any one to fool me-
After little experience II is the easiest
thing in the world to distinguish the sexes
All that Is necessary is to examine the
wings. The male birds have four white
feathers, perfectly shaped and marked.
Look out for the bird If the feathers are
splashed. Then the male bird is larger
In selecting bird get one if possible that
is just beginning to sing. The four-feather
bird is usually the best. 1 was asked a
short time ago, If mocking birds would
breed in captivity. My answer is yes they
will if properly cared for. AS l have said,
mccking bird is shy. and it requires iso-
lation from the busy scenes of the day to
make him contented when 1t comes to
raising a family. Birds raised this way
are to my mind the very best, since they
become accustomed to you and may be
taught anything. The song Is best when
the bird is three years old. The notes are
purer and his range has been established
By careful treatment a mocking bird lives
fifteen or twenty years."
Tell me-" said the reporter, did you
catch these birds in Mexico?'
mo, sir. These birds are all full-fedged
Americans. They came from Texas.
Mexican Monkeys.
you know, my trip into Mexico was for
the purpose Of catching monkeys and par
rots. During the early part of last Sep
tember l arrived at Campecha, and looked
about for my crew. l was bound for the
interior, where few white men ever went
The country is poorly populated, and one
can travel days without seeing house. 1
finally selected my crew, five dirty Mex
leans, who did not have as much ambition
as the monkeys we were going after. We
had no trouble about terms. Twenty-Five
cents day, which is twelve and half