The Mocking-bird is a species of thrush, not uncommon in many parts both
of North and South America and the West India Islands. In size, it does
not exceed the European song-bird, and perhaps is not equal to it in the
beauty of its plumage; it is, however, far from being an inelegant
creature, but it is better known for the peculiarity and amazing power
of its voice. Although not gifted with any powerful weapons of
self-defence, these birds display extraordinary courage in defence of
their eggs and young, and will fearlessly attack any animal which may
approach their haunts, even their greatest enemy, a species of black
snake.
“To these qualities” (says Wilson, the American author), “we may add
that of a voice full, strong, and musical, and capable of almost every
modulation, from the clear mellow tones of the wood-thrush, to the
savage scream of the bald-eagle. In measure and accent, he faithfully
follows his originals. In force and sweetness of expression, he greatly
exceeds them. In his native groves, mounted on the top of a tall bush,
or half-grown tree, in the dawn of dewy morning, while the woods are
already vocal with a multitude of warblers, his admirable song rises
pre-eminent over every competitor. The ear can listen to his music
alone, to which that of all the others seems a mere accompaniment.
Neither is this strain altogether imitative. His own native notes, which
are easily distinguishable by such as are well acquainted with those of
our various song-birds, are bold and full, and varied seemingly beyond
all limits. His expanded wings and tail, glistening with white, and the
buoyant gaiety of his action, arresting the eye as his song most
irresistibly does the ear, he sweeps round with enthusiastic ecstacy. He
mounts or descends as his song swells or dies away. While thus exerting
himself, a bystander, destitute of sight, would suppose that the whole
feathered tribes, had assembled together on a trial of skill, each
striving to produce his utmost effect; so perfect are his imitations. He
many times deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of birds that
perhaps are not within miles of him, but whose notes he exactly
imitates; even birds themselves are frequently imposed on by this
admirable mimic, and are decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates, or
dive with precipitation into the depths of thickets, at the scream of
what they suppose to be the sparrow-hawk.
[Illustration: THE MOCKING BIRD.]
“The mocking-bird loses little of the power and energy of his song by
confinement. In his domesticated state, when he commences his career of
song, it is impossible to stand by uninterested. He whistles for the
dog—Cæsar starts up, wags his tail, and runs to meet his master; he
squeaks out like a hurt chicken—and the hen hurries about, with hanging
wings and bristled feathers, clucking to protect its injured brood. The
barking of the dog, the mewing of the cat, the creaking of a passing
wheelbarrow, follow, with great truth and rapidity. He repeats the tune
taught him by his master, though of considerable length, fully and
faithfully. He runs over the quiverings of the canary and the clear
whistlings of the Virginia nightingale, or the redbird, with such
superior execution and effect, that the mortified songsters feel their
own inferiority and become altogether silent, while he seems to triumph
in their defeat by redoubling his exertions.
“Both in his native and domesticated state, during the solemn stillness
of night, as soon as the moon rises in silent majesty, he begins his
delightful solo; and serenades us the livelong night, with a full
display of his vocal powers, making the whole neighbourhood ring with
his inimitable melody.”
* * * * *
A lover of natural history cannot I think be a bad man, as the very
study of it tends to promote a calmness and serenity of mind, favourable
to the reception of grateful and holy thoughts of the great and good
Parent of the universe. He cannot be a cruel man, because he will be
unwilling wantonly to destroy even an insect, when he perceives how
exquisitively each of them is contrived, and how curiously it is made
for the station it is destined to fill in the animal world.—JESSE.
* * * * *
Many methods have been suggested for saving life in cases of accidents
on the water: the following was stated to me as an experiment actually
made by the relater; he had thus supported himself in the sea, at
Plymouth, for twenty minutes, and could have done it much longer. As
danger of overturning or of sinking appears, have your hat in readiness,
and place it under your chin, holding it with your hands in the same
position upon the water as on the head. The air in the crown will
prevent the water from rising, and is sufficient to keep the whole head
above water.
_Homerton._ JAMES EDMESTON.
_ANNIVERSARIES IN JULY._
MONDAY, 15th.
ST. SWITHIN’S DAY.—See _Saturday Magazine_, vol. i., p. 14.
1685 Execution of _Duke of Monmouth_, after his defeat at Sedgemoor.
1815 _Napoleon_ went on board the British ship Bellerephon, Captain
Maitland, after his defeat at Waterloo.
1817 Died, at Paris, the _Baroness de Staël_, the daughter of M. Necker,
and author of several political works, which enjoyed considerable
popularity while the events of the French Revolution, with which
the name of M. Necker is so intimately connected, were recent. Her
works evince much knowledge of the human heart.
TUESDAY, 16th.
622 On this day the _flight_ of the impostor, Mohammed, from Mecca,
took place, and from it his followers date the events of their
history. This epoch is called, from the Arabic word, which
signifies _to fly_, or _to leave one’s country_, the _Hegira_.
1377 _Richard II._, only child of Edward the Black Prince, was crowned
at Westminster. He did not inherit the warlike genius or the
talents of his father and grandfather, but seems to have been of a
mild, amiable disposition, and may truly be said, in the words of
Shakspeare, to have been “a man more sinned against than sinning.”
1546 _Ann Askew_, a young lady of great merit and beauty, (connected
with most of the ladies of the court, and with the Queen, Catharine
Parr,) was burned at Smithfield, for denying the doctrine of the
real presence.
1800 Died, at his seat near Southampton, _Bryan Edwards_, the Author of
the _History of the West Indies_.
WEDNESDAY, 17th.
1674 The remains of the two Princes, _Edward V. and his Brother_, were
discovered in the Tower, and, by order of Charles II., removed to
Westminster Abbey.
1761 _Peter III._, husband of Catherine II., was murdered. The
unfortunate Emperor was strangled with a towel, and the next day
his body was exposed to the populace, and his death attributed to
that disease we now call cholera.
THURSDAY, 18th.
371 B. C. The Battle of Leuctra, in which the Lacedemonians were
defeated, and their general, Cleombrotus, slain.
1100 Death of _Godfrey de Bouillon_, the most celebrated leader among
the princes and nobles who went on the first crusade: when
Jerusalem was taken, he was unanimously chosen king.
1374 _Petrarch_, one of the earliest, as well as the most elegant, among
the Italian poets, whose romantic attachment to the beautiful Laura
has rendered his name familiar, even to those who are wholly
ignorant of Italian literature, was found dead in his library on
the seventieth anniversary of his birth.
1796 _Louis XVIII._ compelled to leave the army of the emigrants, and
place himself in the hands of the Austrians.
1812 A Treaty of Peace between England and Sweden was signed at Ærebo.
FRIDAY, 19th.
365 B. C. Rome was taken and pillaged by the Gauls, who put to the
sword the senators and old men, who alone remained in the city.
64 _Nero_, for his amusement, caused Rome to be set on fire in various
places. This conflagration was attributed by him to the Christians,
and all who could not escape or conceal themselves, were put to
death with the most cruel torments, among others, St. Peter and St.
Paul suffered martyrdom.
1333 The Battle of Halidown Hill, in which the Scots were defeated by
Edward III.
1588 The Spanish Armada arrived in the British Channel. This formidable
fleet consisted of 130 vessels, carrying 2630 pieces of brass
cannon. It was fitted out by Philip II. of Spain, and blessed by a
special nuncio from the Pope. Its approach spread terror and
dismay; but Elizabeth took advantage of the panic to excite her
subjects to defend their country without draining her exchequer,
and while nobles and citizens fitted out ships at their own charge,
the lower orders flocked to man the vessels and defend the coasts.
The armada, however was dispersed by a tempest, and, while still in
disorder, attacked by the English under Lord Effingham, and
compelled to seek safety in flight.
SATURDAY, 20th.
1620 A massacre of the Protestants in the Valteline, a fertile valley of
Switzerland.
1819 Died, at Edinburgh, _John Playfair_, a celebrated mathematician and
geographer.
SUNDAY, 21st.