TURDUS MERULA. 263 



winters, for earth-worms and slugs do not lie torpid in winter, 

 but move about in mild weather when there is no frost, and 

 much hurt the tender leaves of winter wheat ; and as worms 

 make their casts in March and April, at the same time as 

 the ivy berries are ripe — if the frost be not too severe and 

 prolonged, they have a partial choice of food. Therefore 

 we should not be sorry at a fair amount of frost and snow, 

 for what helps to kill the soft-billed thrushes, kills also many 

 a noxious insect and slug. On the 26th December 1892, the 

 schooner "Ann," of Berwick, potato laden, had to be cut out of 

 the upper harbour to let her to sea, there being about 3 inches 

 thick of ice, which has not occurred during the last 60 years ; 

 and yet a flock of starlings were bathing in broken places of 

 the Kinness burn, within a few yards of people sliding and 

 skating, and enjoying themselves as much as on a summer day ; 

 but the starling is a hardier bird than the thrush — and I merely 

 mention this to show the difference of the two birds. 



The Blackbird, or Black Thrush. 

 Merle, or Garden Ousel. 



(Turdus Merula). Linn. 



All hail ! dear minstrel of the grove, 



Thou golden-mounted living lute ! 

 When thou art whistling songs of love 



How can the human soul be mute ? 



This is the typical Merula — the " Merle " of poetry and song. 

 The mellow whistle and general habits of this shy yet trusting 

 denizen of our gardens and groves, are too familiar to need an 

 elaborate description here, at least I have no wish to emulate 

 Dr Macgillivray, who says, " On referring to the descriptions of 

 the blackbird by British authors, I find nothing in them to 

 which the reader is desired to look ; and may observe that my 

 own observations and those of Mr Weir seem to afford a fuller 

 history of the species than any hitherto imblished, in this country 

 at least." Be that as it may, unless when the female is in- 

 cubating, or employed in the cares of her family, and the male 



