150 SHY AND TIMID. 



was to dart at the foe from different quarters, striking on the back 

 of the head with their bills. In this manner puss was repeatedly 

 obliged to seek shelter; but whenever he saw that the coast was 

 clear he came out and went to a particular spot, where there seemed 

 to be something attractive. The fight was continued throughout 

 the night, and on the following morning there was a furious chirping 

 of the Blackbird. It was soon afterwards discovered that the object 

 of so much solicitude was a wounded Thrush, which puss no doubt 

 had intended for his breakfast on the same morning. Near the 

 bird were found several large worms and other dainties, with which 

 its friends had in vain tried to tempt its appetite. About twelve 

 o'clock on Friday morning it died, and after that the watchmen 

 remained but a little, and then flew away. The two Thrushes had 

 been mates; and, if so, this is only one of many instances on record 

 of the strong conjugal affection of birds; but it is rather extraor- 

 dinary that a Blackbird should sympathise so deeply, and exert 

 itself so nobly, on behalf of a bird of a different species ; and it is 

 no less extraordinary that two such birds should have the courage 

 and the power to contend victoriously with a full-grown cat. 



Generally speaking, the Blackbird is much more shy and 

 timid than the Thrush. It is more easily alarmed, and 

 when disturbed in its covert, utters a short, chattering kind 

 of cry, which is long continued, and which it also fre- 

 quently emits if anything in the shape of an enemy 

 approaches the nest of its neighbour, the Thrush, as if to 

 give a friendly warning of danger to that bird. f 



In a northern paper we find this very interesting account 

 of one of these birds, whose excellent musical powers, 

 beauty, and docility, have rendered them such favourite 

 domestic pets : 



We had the pleasure last night of seeing a Blackbird in the 

 house of Mr. Eobert Hunt, carpenter, Kirkpatrick-juxta-village, 

 which, of itself, is a natural curiosity, and affords perhaps the most 

 notable example of mildness of disposition and sociability of man- 

 ners ever heard of in the history of birds. It was brought from a 

 nest in a neighbouring wood last summer, in company with other 

 three of the same family, and all of which soon died, leaving our 

 heroine alone to brook the solitary confinement of the cage. The 

 little captive, however, gave no indication of possessing any of those 

 musical qualifications for which it had been imprisoned, and it was 

 finally resolved to set it at liberty. The cage door was thrown 

 open to afford her an opportunity to escape, but this did not seem at 

 all congenial to her feelings, for, although she would occasionally 

 mix among the feathered choristers of Craigeland woods, yet she 



