. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . e gardens, andthe vicinity of habitations. When taken young it easily becomesaccustomed to captivity. It builds its nest at a short distance from the ground, on trees THE MOCKING BIED. 559 or bushes, the hen bird only participating in the labour of build-ing. She lays from four to six eggs. In the South of Europe this species is much sought after, onaccount of the exquisite flavour which its flesh acquires fromliving on myrtle and juniper berries. The Ring Blac
. Reptiles and birds : a popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting . e gardens, andthe vicinity of habitations. When taken young it easily becomesaccustomed to captivity. It builds its nest at a short distance from the ground, on trees THE MOCKING BIED. 559 or bushes, the hen bird only participating in the labour of build-ing. She lays from four to six eggs. In the South of Europe this species is much sought after, onaccount of the exquisite flavour which its flesh acquires fromliving on myrtle and juniper berries. The Ring Blackbird [Menda torquata, Gould) difiers from thekind we have just noticed in being of larger size, and in the pre-dilection which it shows for mountainous countries. It sings veryagreeably, and in France is found on the high summits of theYosges, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. The Solitary Blackbird [Merle Bleu of the French) is remark-able for the deep blue colour of its plumage. It frequents the sameregions as the bird last described, and its habits are nearly thesame; but it is wilder in its nature, and its song is even still more. ^ Fig. 261.—The Mocking Bird, or Polyglot Thrush (Miinuspolt/r^luttus, Briss.). charming. We read in the chronicles of his time that Francis never weary of listening to the strains of one he bird is common in the South of Europe and the whole ofthe Levant, and when it is tamed acquires considerable value. Of all the various species of the Merulidce the one which isunquestionably the most favoured, as regards its vocal qualities,is the Mocking Bird, or Polyglot Thrush [Turdus pobjglottus,Linn.), Fig. 261, a native of North America, and chiefly of the 560 PASSERINES. Southern States. Its notes are so melodious that the conscientiousAudubon does not hesitate to rank them far above those of theNightingale. In addition to this, it possesses the wonderfulfaculty of imitating the songs of other birds, and even the cries ofthe mammal
Size: 2015px × 1240px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecad, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectreptiles
