COMMON CROW-BLACKBIRD. 197 



tree, and sometimes they have been known to thrust 

 their nests into the interstices of the Fish-hawk's eyry, 

 as if for safety and protection. They begin their breed- 

 ing operations from the commencement of April to May. 

 The nest is composed outwardly of mud, mixed with 

 stalks and knotty roots of grass, and lined with fine dry 

 grass and horse-hair. The eggs, usually 5 or 6, are of a 

 dull green like those of the Crow, blotched and spotted 

 with dark olive, more particularly towards the larger end. 

 According to Audubon, the same species in the Southern 

 States nests in the hollows of decayed trees, after the man- 

 ner of the Woodpecker, lining the cavity with a few 

 weeds and feathers. They seldom produce more than a 

 single brood in the season. In the autumn, and at the 

 approach of winter, numerous flocks after foraging 

 through the day, return from considerable distances to 

 their general roosts among the reeds. On approaching 

 their station, each detachment, as it arrives, in strao-alino- 

 groups like crows, sweeps round the marsh in waving 

 flight, forming circles ; amidst these bodies, the note of 

 the old reconnoitering leader may be heard, and no sooner 

 has he fixed upon the intended spot, than they all descend 

 and take their stations in an instant. At this time they 

 are also frequently accompanied by the Ferruginous spe- 

 cies, with which they associate in a friendly manner. 



The Blackbird is easily tamed, sings in confinement, 

 and may be taught to articulate some few words pretty 

 distinctly. Among the variety of its natural notes, the 

 peculiarly affected sibilation of the Starling is heard in 

 the ivottitsheCy wottitshee, and whistle, which often accom- 

 panies this note. Their intestines and stomach are 

 frequently infested by long, cylindric, tapering worms, 

 which probably increase sometimes in such numbers as 

 to destroy the bird. 



17* 



