558 



PASSERINES. 



uniform bright black colour. It delights in neighbourhoods 

 covered with groves and thickets situated in the vicinity of 

 water. When a sufficiency of food is to be found it seldom 

 leaves the district it has frequented. In nearly all the countries 

 of the European continent it is to be met with the year round. 

 These birds appear to be less numerous in winter than in summer, 

 and it is only exceptionally that they are sedentary. 



The Blackbird is shy and artful by nature, and shows extreme 

 caution in approaching any object of suspicion. It rarely allows 

 itself to be surprised by man, except when its voracity and greedi- 



Fig. 260. The Common Blackbird (Turdus merula, Linn.). 



ness lead it into danger; but still, notwithstanding its shy- 

 ness, it is disposed to frequent public and private gardens, and 

 the vicinity of habitations. When taken young it easily becomes 

 accustomed to captivity. 



It builds its nest at a short distance from the ground, on trees 



