30 THE BLACKBIRD. 



nary circumstances, but is often seen in company with those 

 of other birds, such as Starlings, Eedwings, Fieldfares, Larks, 

 and Plovers, while on migration.^ It does not begin to sing 

 in spring so early as the Thrush, but its notes are occa- 

 sionally heard in January. It is often one of the first song- 

 sters of the morning.- On the 15th of May 1887, it began 

 its song in my garden as early as 3 A.M., and was immediately 

 followed by a Thrush, and a chorus of other birds. It is 

 sometimes kept as a cage-bird, and can be taught to whistle 

 airs. In my boyhood a Blackbird reared by Mr. John 

 Tait, tailor, in the village of Salton, East-Lothian, used to 

 delight the villagers by whistling " Ower the water to 

 Charlie," and one which I had at Paxton for some years, 

 repeated the same tune with wonderful precision. As a pet 

 it has the disadvantage of requiring its cage to be constantly 

 cleaned. Mr. Hardy likens some parts of the natural song 

 of this bird to the words — " Cock your periwig," " Tie 

 your cravat." 



It builds its first nest very early in spring,^ generally 

 selecting a thick bush, such as a yew or young spruce fir 

 tree, for the purpose. It is also partial to old ivy on walls, 

 and later in the season, when the leaves are out, it often 

 selects a well- concealed spot in a hawthorn bush or hedge 

 for rearing its second brood. 



The nest is usually constructed of coarse grass and twigs, 

 with some moss and dry leaves, cemented together with 

 mud, and the inside lined with fine dry grass. The eggs, 

 which are four or five in number, are generally of a bluish 

 green, thickly speckled with brown. 



' See Reports on the Migration of Birds, 1879-84. 



'^ Dr. Stuart heard the Blackbird's spring notes at Chirnside on 19th Jan. 1882. 

 When returning from Billie Mains on 6th July 1883, he heard it begin to sing at 

 2.15 A.n.—msi. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. x. pp. 572, 574. 



3 A Blackbird's nest, with one egg, was found near Duns in tlicend of January 

 lSS8.—Berivickshire News, 31st Jan. 1888. 



