BLACKBIRD. 203 



The Blackbird frequents hedges, thickets, plantations, and 

 woods. They are shy, restless, and vigilant, frequenting the 

 ground under cover of evergreens and other shrubs that 

 serve to conceal them ; and if disturbed, they take wing with a 

 vociferous chattering cry of alarm, and after a short flight 

 turn suddenly into some thick brake or hedgerow to avoid 

 further pursuit. 



The food of the Blackbird varies considerably with the 

 season. In the spring and early part of the summer it con- 

 sists of the larvse of insects, with worms and snails, the shells 

 of which are dexterously broken against a stone to get at the 

 soft body of the animal within : as the season advances, they 

 exhibit their great partiality for fruit of various sorts, and 

 their constant visits to the garden bring upon them the ven- 

 geance of the gardener, whose gun is ever ready at hand to 

 repel or destroy the numerous intruders. When, however, 

 the enormous number of insects and their larvse, with the 

 abundance of slugs and snails, all injurious to vegetation, which 

 are eaten by Blackbirds throughout a great portion of the 

 year, are duly considered, it may fairly be doubted whether 

 the value of the fruit is not counterbalanced by services per- 

 formed, and I join in the recommendation of the compas- 

 sionate author of the poem on the Birds of Scotland, who 

 says. 



Scare, if ye will, his timid wing away, 

 But, O, let not the leaden viewless shower, 

 VoUied from flashing tube, arrest his flight. 

 And fill his tuneful, gaping bill with blood." 



Grahame. 



The song of the Blackbird is more remarkable for power 

 and quality of tone than for compass or variety. It is 

 usually much too loud except for the open air, and the same 

 notes are too frequently repeated. This bird commences his 

 song early in the spring ; and it has been observed that he 

 occasionally sings his best strain during the continuance of a 



