His nest is carelessly made of almost anything he can find. The small, bluish-green eggs are much like the Catbird's eggs. Little Mocking Birds look very much like the young of other Thrushes, and do not become Mockers like their parents, until they are full grown. Which one of the other Thrushes that you have seen in BIRDS does the Mocking Bird resemble? He is the only Thrush that sings while on the wing. All of the others sing only while perching. [Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff. AMERICAN MOCKING BIRD.] JUNE. Frank-hearted hostess of the field and wood, Gipsy, whose roof is every spreading tree, June is the pearl of our New England year, Still a surprisal, though expected long, Her coming startles. Long she lies in wait, Makes many a feint, peeps forth, draws coyly back, Then, from some southern ambush in the sky, With one great gush of blossoms storms the world. A week ago the Sparrow was divine; The Bluebird, shifting his light load of song From post to post along the cheerless fence, Was as a rhymer ere the poet came; But now, O rapture! sunshine winged and voiced, Pipe blown through by the warm, wild breath of the West, Shepherding his soft droves of fleecy cloud, Gladness of woods, skies, waters, all in one, The Bobolink has come, and, like the soul Of the sweet season vocal in a bird, Gurgles in ecstasy we know not what Save _June! Dear June! Now God be praised for June._ --LOWELL. [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.] THE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. What a beautiful creature this is! A mounted specimen requires, like the Snowy Owl, the greatest care and a dust tight glass case to preserve its beauty. Dr. Coues' account of it should be read by those who are interested in the science of ornithology. It is a common bird in the United States and British Provinces, being migratory and resident in the south. Heronries, sometimes of vast extent, to which they return year after year, are their breeding places. Each nest contains three or four eggs of a pale, sea-green color. Observe the peculiar plumes, sometimes two, in this case three, which spring from the back of the head. These usually lie close together in one bundle, but are often blown apart by the wind in the form of streamers. This Heron derives its name from its habits, as it is usually seen flying at night, or in the early evening, when it utters a sonorous cry of _quaw_ or _quawk_. It is often called Quawk or Qua-Bird.