any point, yet not using his wings he must have stepped upon
every round. He always used his legs with a freedom rarely seen in a
bird, not moving them together as usual in his kind, but handling them
with astonishing independence of each other.

The body of this bird was capable of wonderful expression, not only in
the free use of each member, but every feather seemed under his
voluntary control. The spasmodic movement of the wings in excitement,
common to many birds, was accomplished in an original manner by holding
the wing slightly away from the body, and spreading or opening it a
little at each jerk, without changing its position toward his side. His
tail seemed as loosely connected with his body as if it were hung on
wires; it moved even with his breathing, and the emphatic flirt of the
member was an insult which every bird in the room understood. Intense
interest in any sound was indicated by raising the feathers over the
ears alone, which gave him the droll appearance of wearing velvet "ear
muffs." In expressing other emotions he could erect the feathers of his
chin, his shoulders or his back, either part alone, or all together, as
he chose. A true bird of the south, he did not enjoy our climate, and if
the room became too cool he made his opinion known by drawing his head
down into his shoulders, with every feather on his body fluffed out,
even to the base of the beak, till he looked as if wrapped in delicate
gray furs to his nose, and almost burying his eyes.

The mocking-bird's emotions were so intense and so originally displayed
that he was a constant source of interest. A hand-glass lying face up
gave opportunity for an amusing exhibition one day. Leaning over it, he
puffed out every feather, opened his mouth, and tried the glass with his
beak at every point. Meeting no satisfaction, he turned to leave it, but
first peeped slyly over the edge to see if the stranger were still
there, no doubt unable to get over his surprise at seeing a bird in that
position and ready to meet his bill at every point. The same glass
standing up brought out a different demonstration. He stood in front of
it and swelled himself out, while the feathers of the shoulders and
breast were erected. Then he opened his mouth wide and attacked the
reflection, but was astonished to meet the glass. He touched the bill of
his double with his own, and moved all the way to the bottom of the
glass, not taking it away, but apparently trying to