A Record of the Eastern Mockingbird in British Columbia
A Record of the Eastern Mockingbird in British Columbia
It may be of interest to record the taking of a Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) in British Columbia at Duncan, Vancouver Island, on January 20, 1940. The bird was under observation for several days and was noted to be feeding on discarded apples and holly berries. Although its feeding habits were dissimilar, it was first thought to be an albinistic Townsend Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi). When recognized after collection, the skin was sent to Major Allan Brooks, who tentatively determined it to be the eastern form, M. p. polyglottos (skin now in his collection). This was confirmed by Dr. Alden H. Miller of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, There is one previous record for the species on Vancouver Island reported by Racey (Can. Field Nat., vol. 47, 1933, p. 1.59). The race to which this bird belonged was not determined inasmuch as it was not collected.
Dennis Ashby
Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, May 14, 1940
