264 THE BLACKBIRD. 



perched on some tall tree, chimney-can, or high wall, bearing 

 her company with his melodious song, it is of a restless, shy 

 disposition — always anxious to get out of sight, gliding amongst 

 the underwood or closest hedge with singular celerity. It is a 

 native of Britain, but its numbers are increased by large flocks 

 from more northern countries on the approach of Winter. 

 From recent scientific observations, lighthouse-keepers (on the 

 look out for the purpose) report that "blackbirds cross the 

 North Sea in extraordinary numbers in September, October, 

 and November." Like the mavis, it also feeds on worms, 

 insects, snails, and haws — that winter store of the feathered 

 nation. It is also fond of the Helix nemoralis, whose shell 

 it breaks against a stone, but it makes the gardener its enemy 

 by taking some ripe strawberries aud cherries, who, in his one- 

 sided care for fruit, forgets the great good it does in its 

 destruction of snails, worms, and other garden pests. For as 

 the cultivation of our soil and plants increases, so does vermin 

 life. By loosening the soil fertility is augmented ; the larvae 

 and maggots thrive best on such ground, while the insects, 

 which feed upon the larvae, blossoms, and seeds multiply in a 

 corresponding ratio ; for, in accordance with the universal law, 

 Nature brings forth as many creatures as she can sustain. For 

 this reason, there are certain insects appointed for each species 

 of plant in order to prevent undue multiplication ; so, also, are 

 there certain birds for each species of insect, for Nature rules 

 by simple but stringent laws, which, if broken, retaliate upon 

 the breakers — as the mice have done upon the gamekeepers and 

 farmers for killing the owls, the buzzards, and the kestrel. If 

 the balance be broken, an unlimited increase of vermin is the 

 result, by depriving the natural enemies of the vermin of life. 

 We see instances of this in the wheat-fly, the turnip-fly, the 

 green caterpillar on the gooseberry and the currant bushes, and 

 legions more. Insectivorous birds disappear more and more 

 because they are persecuted on cultivated ground, where they 

 have neither security nor shelter for breeding. Where are now 

 the woods, hedges, wild shrubs and bushes ? The old hollow 

 yet thick-leaved trees ? Agriculture answers that every inch of 

 productive soil is forced to yield its utmost ; yet the farmer 

 destroys his best friends, who labour honestly without fee or 

 reward to help him in his efforts. And, singularly, the most 

 useful insect destroyers — those which would free us most from 

 the real vermin — are the very ones man himself most 

 assiduously tries to exterminate — either through ignorance, or 



