The Blackbird. 231 



already betrayed its presence. Both birds should, 

 in our opinion, be protected, and the fruit they eat 

 be regarded as given in payment for services 

 rendered. London birds, however, have little to 

 fear from the gardener, as fruit-growing is not 

 carried on to any extent in suburban gardens. 



Like many other birds, blackbirds in hard 

 weather draw near to houses and homesteads ; and 

 at such times many find their way into town, 

 where they lose their shy habits and become 

 excessively tame, especially if the ground is 

 covered with snow, and will take food, even 

 when placed close to a window, with hardly 

 more hesitation than is shown by the impudent 

 sparrow. 



Blackbirds, when reared from the nest, make 

 excellent cage-birds, and become very tame and 

 companionable ; but in aviaries they are trouble- 

 some, as they are excessively pugnacious, and harass 

 other birds. They are perfect mimics, and may 

 be taught to whistle simple tunes; they will also 

 imitate the songs of other birds, and have been 

 known to crow like a cock, and cackle like a hen ; 

 and some authors go so far as to affirm that they 

 will even imitate the human voice. 



In the country blackbirds, from their habit of 

 suddenly dashing out of cover, flying straight 

 away, and as suddenly turning in again, are con- 

 sidered to afford excellent sport for boys who learn 

 to shoot, and hundreds are yearly killed in this 

 way. Blackbird hawking, again, is a recognised 



