THE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD. 71 



DESCRIPTION. 



The European blackbird is about the size of the song thrush, 

 nine inches and a half long, of which the tail comprises four 

 inches. The beak is one inch long, and of a golden-yellow; 

 the irides dark-brown; the feet black, and fourteen lines high. 

 The male is entirely of a deep-black ; the female black-brown, 

 rusty-colored on the breast, and with an ash-colored tinge 

 upon the abdomen; the throat, spotted with light and dark- 

 brown; the beak and the feet, black-brown, appearing also to 

 be rather larger and heavier, and hence it has sometimes been 

 considered a distinct species. 



FOOD AND MANAGEMENT. 



When wild, the blackbird, like other species of thrush, 

 feeds on all kinds of edible berries, such as the elder, 

 cherry, and mountain ash; and when this food is not abund- 

 ant, it satisfies itself with the tips of the white thorn. At this 

 time, it often seeks for insects near the vicinity of warm 

 springs. 



In confinement, these birds are content with the first kind of 

 universal paste, described at page 13, but will also eat bread, 

 meat, and most kinds of food that comes to table. The young, 

 which must be taken from the nest when their quills have 

 but just sprung, can be reared upon roll steeped in milk. 



The blackbird should be kept in a large cage, for it is not 

 prudent to allow it to associate with other birds, as either 

 through covetousness or caprice, it will attack the smaller 

 kinds, and even peck them to death. Like all the allied 

 species, this bird is fond of frequent bathing, and consequently 

 should be amply supplied with the means. In captivity, 

 he will live from twelve to fifteen years, especially if his 

 food be varied. 



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