Naturalist:
1. Do a research on the natural habitat of mockingbird. In your research, include the kind of flora and fauna you think exist in Maycomb and explain why the mockingbirds live in Maycomb.
Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerine birds from the Mimidae family. They are best known for the habit of some species mimicking the songs of other birds and the sounds of insects and amphibians, often loudly and in rapid succession. There are about 17 species in three genera. They feed mainly on berries and garden insects.
They were quite significant in history as they were one of the animals from which the naturalist, Charles Darwin, gained evidence about the transmutation of species and evolution as mockingbirds Mimus thenca differed from island to island, and were closely allied in appearance to mockingbirds on the South American mainland.
Mockingbirds were given their name due to their ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottus, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbirds have even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens! The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
Mockingbirds are known to live in open areas with thickets, farmland and shrubs. They can even be found in some residential areas or city parks. They dislike dense woodlands. They prefer to build their nests in shrubs and bushes where it is nearer to the ground. Their nests are shaped like dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottus, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbirds has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens! The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights. Also, insects, berries and seeds are most commonly found in such areas.
As mentioned by Atticus, mockingbirds are harmless birds that only do good, singing their beautiful songs for others to enjoy and feeding on the destructive and much hated cottonworm. Hence, it is considered a sin to kill a mockingbird in the book but I believe that it applies to real life too. There was a period of time when mockingbirds almost became extinct when many people captured them and enclosed them in cages to hear them sing.
Hence, based on the research I have done, I can think of various flora and fauna that exist in Maycomb. Maycomb does not have many tall trees besides the oak where Jem and Scout found presents from Boo. Instead, Maycomb has more grassy areas, shrubs and bushes where mockingbirds prefer to build their nests. When foraging on the ground, mockingbirds also prefer grassy areas to bare spots.
Also, there may be more fruits and flowers since mockingbirds prefer to feed on berries, seeds and insects. The presence of flowers and shorter plants makes Maycomb feel as though it is a nice place to live in as it is an open area with beautiful scenery, and array and wide variety of colours. This seems to tally with the opinions of the characters in the story. They feel secure and at ease in Maycomb County despite the rumours about Boo Radley.
With such a cheerful environment and a habitat suitable for them, mockingbirds would naturally be attracted to Maycomb county. This ties in perfectly with the storyline where Boo and Tom are depicted as mockingbirds. As Maycomb is a stagnant community where there is little change and everything is routine-like, it has become the perfect breeding ground for racism as the people have nothing better to do but gossip. Hence, Boo and Tom, one of a different nature and one of a different skin colour, are depicted as mockingbirds as they do good to the community but are looked down upon or ostracised.
In conclusion, mockingbirds prefer shrubby habitats, and are thus attracted to Maycomb as we can think about what flora and fauna can exist in Maycomb. The mockingbirds are also used to tie in with the storyline and emphasise the theme.
