54 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



haunts. One by one you see them fly rapidly out and 

 alight amongst the grass. He remains motionless for a 

 few seconds after alighting, with legs at a graceful angle, 

 neck arched, head slightly turned aside, as though he 

 were listening intently, and tail almost at right angles 

 to the body (for be it known the Blackbird, like the 

 Magpie and the Ring Ousel, always elevates the tail upon 

 alighting), which is crouching low amongst the herbage. 

 When in this position he presents an attitude the acme 

 of easy gracefulness and beauty. No museum attitude 

 there, for he can never be seen in such graceful, though 

 wary ease, save when in the full enjoyment of life and 

 vigour. Therefore, he who would wish to see this jet 

 black chorister in such attitude must stray into his haunts 

 at morning or eventide, and watch his motions when on 

 the pastures in search of his meal. Few birds are more 

 wary whilst feeding than the Blackbird, and the instant 

 danger threatens he retires into the fastnesses whence 

 he came. Morning and evening are the times animal 

 substances abound on the pastures : it is then the small 

 snails occur in largest numbers, and the earthworms 

 leave their holes and visit the surface of the ground. 

 The Blackbird knows this full well, and acts accordingly. 

 It is an animating sight to see a number of these birds 

 engaged in feeding ; now digging away at some 

 tenacious worm ; now exploring the manure heap for 

 the beetles, worms, and insect life with which it abounds, 

 every now and then pausing in their labours and look- 

 ing warily around. At the sight of so many Blackbirds 

 together you w^ould most likely consider them as a 

 gregarious species, yet the reverse is the case, and it is 

 only their food brings them together. All their food, 

 however, is not obtained from the pastures. Lurking 

 amontjst the hedgerows are numerous snails, inhabiting 



