SYNOPSIS AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
OF THE BIRDS MENTIONED 
1. BLACKBIRD 
(Pages 94-100) 
Turdus merula, of the same family (Passerine) as 
the thrush (Turdus musicus), and about the same 
length (10 in.). (ZTurdus, Lat., thrush; and merula, 
blackbird ; French, merle). Cock: entirely black in 
plumage (most brilliant in spring), Bill: Bright yel- 
low (after first moult). Eyelids: Orange yellow. 
Female : Brownish-black, lighter on breast and throat, 
with a red tinge here. Yellowish at nesting time. 
Found: Almost everywhere. Frequents hedges, copses, 
thickets, furze, also gardens, lawns, cabbage fields, etc., 
where snails, slugs, worms, caterpillars, etc., abound, 
and fond of ripe fruit. Flight: Not prolonged, low 
down. The male has a peculiar habit of dashing in or 
out of seclusion if disturbed, uttering loud ‘ scolding ’ 
notes. Not migratory, but some go south in severe 
weather. Alone except at nesting time with female. 
Note : Described as flute-like, and more accomplished 
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