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sought after — such as the Sparrow, the Redpole, &c., 

 which are fiard-bill birds, and live on seed, and may be 

 treated same as the Goldfinch, — besides, the Fawnette, 

 the Field Fare, and a few others, which are soft bill 

 birds, and may be treated as the Thursh. 



THE BLACKBIRD. 



Turdus Merula. 



Description. This bird is of a pure velvety 

 black, with an orange-yellow bill. Its length is nine 

 inches and a half. 



The notes of the Blackbird, though not so various as 

 of the Thrush, still are of a more sweet, flute-like tone j 

 besides this, he possesses the ability of imitating airs 

 which are whistled to him \ this he executes to great 

 perfection. When in a wild state, this bird only sings 

 about three months in the year ; but when caged, sings 

 nearly throughout the year. His food and treatment 

 may be the same as we described for the Thrush. 



We consider the Blackbird, when in full plumage, 

 and in good health, a very handsome bird, and there- 

 fore are scarcely inclined to agree with an anonymous 

 poet who says : 



,, I could not think so plain a bird 

 Could sing so sweet a song." 



