Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME II.
GENUS II.--ORPHEUS, Swains. MOCKING-BIRD.
Bill of moderate length or longish, rather slender, straight or slightly
arched, broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end, acute; upper
mandible with the ridge rather narrow, the sides convex toward the end, the
notches very slight, the tip narrow; lower mandible with the angle of moderate
length, the dorsal line straight or slightly decurved toward the end, the sides
nearly erect, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, partially concealed by the
feathers. Head of ordinary size, ovato-oblong; neck of moderate length; body
rather slender. Feet of ordinary length, slender; tarsus scarcely so long as
the middle toe and claw; hind toe of moderate length, stout, lateral toes equal;
claws moderate, arched, compressed, acute. Plumage soft and blended. Bristles
rather long. Wings of ordinary length, broad, rounded, the first quill very
small, the fourth and fifth longest. Tail very long, straight, much rounded, or
graduated.