THE BLACKBIRD 9 
and shrubs, has just before the critical moment of action started 
some ill-omened Blackbird. Out bursts the frantic alarum, heard 
at a great distance; the intended victim catches the alarm, once 
snuffs the air to discover in what direction the foe lies concealed, 
and bounds to a place of security. A somewhat similar note, not, 
however, indicative of terror, real or imagined, is uttered when the 
bird is about to retire for the night, and this at all seasons of the 
year. Hewould merit, therefore, the title of ‘ Bellman of the woods’. 
Neither of these sounds is to be confounded with the true song of 
the Blackbird. This is a full, melodious, joyful carol, many of the 
notes being remarkable for their flutelike tone—‘ the whistling 
of the Blackbird ’—and varying greatly in their order of repetition ; 
though I am inclined to believe that most birds of this kind have 
a favourite passage, which they repeat at intervals many times 
during the same performance. 
The song of the Blackbird does not meet the approbation of 
bird-fanciers: ‘It is not destitute of melody,’ says Bechstein, 
‘ but it is broken by noisy tones, and is agreeable only in the open 
country’. The art of teaching the Blackbird isof old date, for we 
find in Pepys’ Diary, May 22, 1663, the following passage: 
‘Rendall, the house carpenter at Deptford, hath sent me a fine 
Blackbird, which I went to see. He tells me he was offered twenty 
shillings for him as he came along, he do so whistle. 23d. Waked 
this morning between four and five by my Blackbird, which whistled 
as well as ever I heard any ; only it is the beginning of many tunes 
very well, but then leaves them and goes no further.’ i) 
The song of the Blackbird is occasionally heard during the mild 
days of winter, but it is not until spring sets in that it can be said 
to be in full, uninterrupted song. It then repairs to some thick 
bush or hedge, especially at the corner of a pond, and builds its 
nest, a bulky structure, the framework of which is composed of 
twigs and roots; within is a thin layer of mud lined with small 
fibrous roots, bents, and moss. The nest contains four or five 
eggs, and the young birds are fed with worms. In the breeding 
season Blackbirds are far more venturesome than at any other 
time, as they frequently select a garden in which to build their 
nest, with the double object, perhaps, of procuring plenty of worms 
for their nestlings, and of launching them when fledged where 
they will have great facilities for regaling themselves on summer 
fruits. In such localities the appearance of a cat near their nest 
greatly excites their wrath. From being timid they become 
very courageous, scolding with all their might, darting down so 
near as almost to dash in her face, and generally ending by compelling 
her to beat a retreat. 
The female Blackbird differs materially from the male, its plumage 
being of a dingy brown hue, the breast light and spotted, the beak 
dark brown with yellowish edges. White and pied specimens of 
