Lynn Roden, age 16, of Tulsa, Okla., for her question:

DOES THE MOCKINGBIRD HAVE A SONG OF HIS OWN?

We all know that the mockingbird is famous for his ability to imitate the sounds of other birds. A report out of South Carolina states a naturalist found that one bird was able to duplicate the songs of 32 different kinds of birds in 10 minutes..

But if that bird was raised in a soundproof area

and never allowed to hear other birds, would he still be able to sing? The naturalists say that he indeed would be able to do so. The mockingbird's own song is one of the most versatile of all bird songs. He can make up beautiful melodies.

Mockingbirds live only in North, Central and South America. In the United States most live in the Southern states although some can be found as far north as Massachusetts and Michigan.

Mockingbirds help man by eating insects and weed seed as well as by entertaining him with song.