146 AN INDISCRIMINATE FEEDER. 



greenish blue, with very obscure dusky markings. But, as is the 

 case with most birds that frequent cultivated districts, the colour 

 both of the birds and eggs is subject to variety. 



The Blackbird sings early; and though there is not nearly so 

 much spirit and variety in his song as in that of the Thrush, it is 

 soft and clear, and has a sort of flute-like tone which makes a 

 pleasant variety among the number of more sharp and trilling 

 voices. There are usually two, and frequently three, broods of 

 Blackbirds in the year, and thus the song continues through a great 

 part of the season, though it is not heard so continually, so long at 

 a time, or from so lofty a perch, as that of the Thrush. Notwith- 

 standing its solitary and hiding habits, the Blackbird is more 

 easily tamed and more patient of restraint than the Thrush. 



In a wild state the Blackbird appears to be a somewhat 

 indiscriminate feeder. 



Having, [says Macgillivray,] opened five individuals, I found 

 in the stomach of one a great quantity of seeds, and husks of 

 graminae, including wheat and oats ; in that of another coleopterous 

 insects; in that of a third coleoptera, and seeds of various kinds; 

 in that of the fourth, mollusca, and fragments of shells ; in that of 

 the fifth, seeds, mollusca, and a few grains of gravel. Earthworms, 

 larvae, berries, and seeds of various kinds, I have also observed in 

 the stomachs of numerous individuals which I have opened. 



It is amusing to observe a Blackbird searching for food on the 

 smooth green of a garden, which one may easily do from the 

 window without being noticed. In December 1832 I watched one 

 in order to note its motions. After looking quietly at a particular 

 spot for some time, it hopped up, began to peck the ground with 

 great energy, and after some exertion succeeded in dragging out a 

 worm of moderate size, which it immediately threw on the ground. 

 It then pecked at the worm for nearly a minute, and beginning at 

 one end, separated by a sudden stroke a small portion, which it 

 swallowed. In this manner it proceeded until it had devoured the 

 whole, not swallowing at any time more than a small fragment. It 

 then hopped about, looking now and then attentively at a certain 

 spot, and at length began to dig vehemently for another worm, 

 which it soon procured. This was the first time that I had closely 

 watched a Blackbird while searching for worms; but I have since 

 had repeated opportunities of convincing myself that it always pro- 

 ceeds in the same manner, never swallowing an entire worm, unless 

 it happens to be extremely small, and cutting the very large ones 

 into a great number of pieces. 



In almost every temperate region of the earth may the 

 glossy plumes according to Buffon of a more decided 

 black than even those of the raven of the Blackbird be 



