Washington, W.V., sometimes abundant, Oct. 2-May 12. Ossining, common T.V., Mch. 26-(?); Sept. 24-Nov. 16. Cambridge, T.V., abundant Sept. 20-Nov. 10; rare Apl. 10-May 20. N. Ohio, common T.V., Apl. 6-May 20; Oct. 19. Glen Ellyn, not common T.V., Apl. 15-; Sept. 30-Oct. 18. SE. Minn., common T.V., May 4-; Oct.
At first glance a Pipit might be mistaken for a Sparrow—let us say, a Vesper Sparrow; but note that it walks, instead of hops, that it constantly wags or 'tips' its tail, that it has a slender, not stout bill. Meadows, pastures, plowed fields, golf-courses, are frequented by Pipits, usually in flocks of a dozen or more. When flushed, with a faint dee-dee, they bound lightly into the air but usually soon return to earth.
Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spraguei), a slightly smaller species, nests in Montana, Dakota, and northward, and is sometimes found in small numbers on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia in winter.
THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS, ETC. FAMILY MIMIDÆ
MOCKINGBIRD
Mimus polyglottos polyglottos. [Case 4]; Fig. 76
To be confused in color only with the Loggerhead Shrike, but larger, with a longer tail, no black on the face and totally different habits. L. 10½.
Range. Nests from the Gulf to Iowa and Maryland; rarely to Massachusetts; winters from Maryland southward.
Washington, uncommon P.R., less numerous in winter. Cambridge, rare S.R., Mch. to Nov.
No southern garden is complete without a Mockingbird to guard its treasures with his harsh alarm-note and extol its beauties in his brilliant, varied song. He is to the South what the Robin is to the North—and more, for he is present throughout the year while the Robin is with us only during the nesting season.