Extra Credit Questions

[David Lockmiller]

A carrier pigeon?

Very logical guess, Eva, but not correct.

Since the Christmas hustle is in full swing, I will spill the beans a little early and tell you that Jack was a mockingbird who resided in a cage at the White House, but Jefferson would release him to follow him from room to room and encourage him to sing. This according to James Conroy's book.

I love mockingbirds, named an old and dilapidated plantation house Mockingbird Hill when I was a child, and now have a resident mockingbird who stays outside my kitchen door most of the time. I call him my "watchbird." He screeches (doesn't sing) every time someone approaches - even me. The cat next door is allowed to roam and sends this bird into spasms. The cat is more interested in my resident squirrels and bunnies.

My Italian friend, Ebe Giovanna, refers to "mockingbird" in her native language as "uccello polyglatta" or "bird of many languages" which is so Italian and so accurately descriptive.