nOTES 



NOTES ON THE BREEDING OF THE BLACKBIRD. 



On March 26tli, 1910, I found a pair of Blackbirds {Turdus 

 merula) building in a pile of sticks in a position which enabled 

 one to approach within a few feet without being seen by the 

 birds. Building proceeded in a leisurely manner, and it was 



MALE BLACKBIRD REMOVING fieces OF YOUNG. 

 (Photographed by C. K. Siddall.) 



not till March 31st that the nest was completed. Both birds 

 took part in building. On April 1st the first egg was laid and 

 on April 5th the female commenced to sit on a clutch of four 

 eggs. During incubation I did not see the cock sitting, nor 

 did I see him carrying food to the hen. On April 17th four 

 young were hatched oiit. When the young birds were two 

 days old I found the male bird covering them. On April 20th 

 I examined the nestlings and found down on the skull, on the 

 dorsal tract and jien feathers showing on the wings. I was 



