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Dick the Mockingbird
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Dick the Mockingbird was one of U.S. president Thomas Jefferson's pet mockingbirds. Although there had been previous presidential pets, Jefferson is thought to be "the first president to have a pet [that lived] in the White House."[2] Prior to his term as President, Jefferson bought his first mockingbird in November 1772 from a slave of his father-in-law John Wayles for five shillings.[3][4] Birds were Jefferson's favorite animal and Dick was the favorite from among at least four mockingbirds the president had while in office.[4] During his time in the White House, Jefferson wrote observations on the types of birds that he spotted in the area. In May 1793, in response to a letter from his son-in-law Thomas Mann Randolph,[4] Jefferson wrote: "I sincerely congratulate you on the arrival of the mockingbird. Teach all the children to venerate it as a superior being which will haunt them if any harm is done to itself or its eggs."[5]
As a pet
[edit]Jefferson was known to keep Dick's cage in a special area of his study, on a windowsill surrounded by plants. He often left the cage open, allowing the mockingbird free range of the room. Dick would perch on Jefferson's couch and sing him to sleep after following him step by step up the stairs. The bird enjoyed sitting on Jefferson's shoulder while he worked at his desk. Jefferson had even trained Dick to swoop down and take food from between his lips. When Jefferson played his violin, Dick would join in, "pouring out his song along with the violin," [6] creating a duet.
As an acquaintance wrote: "How he loved the bird! He could not live without something to love… his bird and his flowers became the objects of his tender care."[6]
See also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Vowels, Kelly (2024-05-16). "The Northern Mockingbird and its Melodic Mimicry". Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
- ^ Lopata, Peg. "A Real Political Animal." Faces: People, Places, and Cultures Sept. 2008: MasterFILE Premier. Web. 7 March 2010
- ^ "Mockingbirds." Monticello.org. N.p., 29 August 8, 26, 2009. Web. 6 March 2010.
- ^ a b c "Mockingbirds". Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Thomas Jefferson Foundation Inc. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
- ^ "For the Birds." Saturday Evening Post 279.3 (2007): 54–59. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 3 March 2010.
- ^ a b Caulkins, Janet V. (1992). Pets of the presidents. Brookfield, Conn.: Millbrook Press. pp. 12, 14. ISBN 9781562940607.
