210 OBSERVATIONS ON A PAIR OP BLACKBIRDS. 



the birds ; but something in this direction has been done by 

 placing sticks and twigs in the paths most used by them. If 

 our cat was young and active, I think we should fasten a 

 bell to his neck, which, by giving notice of his approach, 

 would make him comparatively harmless. As it is, however, 

 he is too decrepid and feeble to be dreaded. 



When the weather grows cold, and animal food becomes 

 scarce, I intend to turn over a heap of garden refuse and 

 expose the swarms of creeping things for the hungry birds ; 

 for I am convinced that the red berries are a very insufficient 

 substitute for these things, and they are only eaten when the 

 birds have no other food available. In a mild winter they 

 are hardly eaten at all, and may be found almost untouched 

 hanging to the boughs in spring. If it had occurred to me 

 earlier in the year, I should have laid in a stock of snails for 

 the winter. If snails are put into a dry place (a basket in 

 an outhouse, for example), they will seal themselves up, and 

 keep for over a year perfectly fresh ; but now the snails are 

 hidden awa}^ in their winter hibernation, and I must postpone 

 this part of my scheme till next summer. 



Those who have leisure will do well to study the birds 

 from their windows, and to this end I would advise an opera 

 glass or small telescope to be kept always at hand ; I have 

 found this very helpful. 



I think I have discovered the modus operandi of hunting 

 for worms. The blackbird alights on the lawn and im- 

 mediately cocks his head on one side in the attitude of 

 listening. If he hears nothing he hops high and comes 

 down with a thud ; then he quickly puts his beak into a 

 worm burrow, and by dint of violent tugs brings his victim 

 to the surface. 



The loud hoppings were made, I believe, to frighten the 

 worm into making some movement, and as soon as he moves, 



