a species of Falco. See Falco, Ornithology Index.

MIMI, Mimes, in the ancient comedy, were buffoons or mimics, who entertained the people by taking off certain characters, using such gestures as suited the persons or subjects they represented. There were on the Roman stage female performers of this kind called mimea. The word is derived from imitari, I imitate. Some of the mimi acted their parts to the sound of the tibia; these they called mimauli.

Mimi were also a kind of farces or ludicrous comedies, generally performed by one person. They had no acts, nor any exordium.—The mimi were introduced upon the Roman stage long after comedy and tragedy had arrived at their full perfection. The actor wore no mask, but smeared his face with soot, was draped in lambkin, wore garlands of ivy, and carried a basket of flowers and herbs, in honour of Bacchus, and diverted the audience with apish tricks and ridiculous dances. This was the flate of the mimi soon after their first introduction; but they underwent many alterations, which it would take up too much room to relate, and which are not of sufficient importance to justify a detailed account. See Pantomimes.