THE THRUSHES 



1649 



No fewer 

 America; 



than 

 while 



sixteen of the species referred to this genus are peculiar to South 

 twelve inhabit Australia, and fourteen are found in the Oriental 



region. Nine species inhabit North- 

 ern Asia, and two others are well- 

 known European birds. The common 

 blackbird (M. vulgaris) does not usu- 

 ally inhabit the most northern parts 

 of Europe, but breeds in most districts 

 of this region, migrating from the colder 

 regions before the approach of winter. 

 It is resident throughout the year in the 

 south of Spain, Algeria, and the Canaries. 

 During the summer months the blackbird 

 frequents gardens and orchards, nesting in 

 shrubs and hedges, sometimes upon the 

 ground. The nest is composed of grass- 

 stalks and moss, together with dead leaves, 

 and, under pressure of circumstances, can be 

 completed in a couple of days, the female alone 

 working at the structure. The eggs are bluish 

 green in ground color, closely freckled with 

 light brown. The song lacks the compass and 

 variety of the song thrush, but is nevertheless 

 powerful and well sustained. The blackbird 

 is specially liable to sport white feathers, 

 especially in the case of the male; the 

 tendency to such variations having been 

 proved to be hereditary. Albinos are some- 

 times taken in the nest, uniting the 

 possession of red irides with bleached 

 white plumage. The adult male has 

 the plumage uniform black 

 throughout; but the female 

 is quite unlike her mate, 

 being dusky olive brown 

 above, and reddish 

 brown on the 

 under 

 parts. 



BLACKBIRD AND SPARROW HAWK. 



104 



