THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
of the Thrush, forms the most familiar bird-music of 
rural London, and must recall to countless toilers in the 
Great City memories of green countrysides and distant 
homes, of younger and more peaceful days, free from the 
stress and turmoil that throbs unceasingly around them 
here. Amidst such scenes and surroundings the song of 
the Blackbird in London can never be more than an echo 
of the country. During April and May he keeps in 
splendid voice ; there is a marked decrease in June; and 
in July it ceases for the year in the annual moult which 
then begins. Every reader must be familiar with the 
Blackbird, either as it hops fearlessly about the grass or 
scurries off into the evergreens startled and uttering a 
string of loud cries, lifting its long tail above its 
back just as it alights. It is pugnacious enough, and 
rarely allows another of the same sex to share its own 
particular haunt. ‘This trait is specially marked in spring, 
when males may be seen in the London parks and else- 
where chasing each other amongst the shrubberies. ‘The 
food of this species during spring and summer 1s largely 
composed of worms, grubs, slugs, and certain insects ; 
in summer the bird levies a heavy toll upon the suburban 
fruit gardens ; whilst in autumn and winter berries of 
many kinds are eaten. It pairs early in spring, and may 
be found nesting from March onwards to August. The 
first nests of the season are usually made in an evergreen, 
but later on as deciduous trees come into leaf almost 
every kind of tree or bush is selected. In many of the 
London parks the nest will often be made within a few 
paces of frequented paths. It is composed of dry grass, 
twigs, dead leaves, and moss, lined first with mud and 
then with fine dry grass. ‘The eggs are from four to six, 
greenish blue, spotted and freckled with reddish brown 
and grey. Both parents incubate; and if disturbed 
frequently utter a very plaintive note, something like 
the “weeping” cry of the Robin at the same season. 
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