FLOCKING ALREADY! 131 



selection of a locality for nesting and rearing their 

 brood. The work of building absorbs all their 

 attention, and they are quite indifferent to the less 

 weighty problems of Blackbird life. They never 

 wander far from the nest, not even when the young, 

 importunate brood make extravagant demands for 

 food. They gather delicacies all day long, never 

 venturing far afield, but gleaning from the adjacent 

 swamps and bogs. The conduct of the Blackbird at 

 this time is most exemplary, even from a selfish, 

 human point of view, for he provides a bill of fare 

 consisting largely of insects. 



As soon as the cares of the household are thrown off 

 and the young brood are able to battle with the world 

 the Blackbird becomes the most sociable of all the 

 summer residents. Then the sudden appearance of a . 

 hurrying flock gives a disquieting reminder of the / 

 passing of summer. The new flock lacks organisation 

 or purpose, and seems too happy to think of the 

 pursuit of pleasure. The restraints of a season of 

 domestic care are forgotten in the glad abandon of a 

 new life. This is the time for raids and depredations, j 

 The fields of ripening grain are an irresistible tempta- \ 

 tion. The flock scurries here and there, settling for a 

 moment to gather a few grains of Wheat, and rising 

 in response to an irregular impulse, to disappear 

 among the crowding Maples. There is no leadership 

 among the hurrying marauders as they move about 



