The Blackbird. 229 



on the ground; indeed, the bird is by no means 

 particular as to situation, occasionally choosing 

 most unlikely places in which to build ; perhaps 

 the most extraordinary on record being the crown 

 of a w ater-pipe under the overhanging roof of 

 a house, a position admirably adapted for a 

 sparrow's nest, but certainly not one in which a 

 blackbird's might be expected. 



The eggs, from four to six in number, are 

 greenish blue, thickly spotted with dull red, and as 

 a result of the size of the nest, and the little care 

 taken to conceal it, often fall a prey to bird's- 

 nesting boys. This is perhaps not altogether to be 

 regretted, as blackbirds are very prolific, having 

 two and three broods in the year, the same nest 

 occasionally doing duty for the whole season. 

 The " leading case " was supplied by a pair of 

 London blackbirds, which iu the year 1837 built 

 four successive nests upon the island in St. James's 

 Park, and safely reared and brought off seventeen 

 young ones, the first three broods consisting of five 

 each, the last of two only. 



The young in their first plumage are curiously 

 spotted, especially on the breast in this stage the 

 cocks may be distinguished, as they are darker 

 than the hens, aud the spots on the breast are 

 more distinct. After the first moult they lose 

 their spots, and are then of a dark rusty brown, 

 very much like the hen, but darker; the adult 

 plumage is attained in the ensuing spring. 



The food of the blackbird varies with the seasons, 



