194 THE BLACKBIRD 



lands. In \yinter, in cities, it is fond of haunting the 

 neighbourhood of dweUings, where, among the green 

 boughs of tlie gardens, it is always sure to find shelter 

 and some sort of food. 



When the country blackbirds feel that winter is 

 setting in, they seek a refuge in the very depths of the 

 forest, within reach of some tepid s])ring, beneath some 

 pines or juniper trees, which offer them, better board and 

 lodging. As soon as the cold is less intense they become 

 very merry and begin, already early in February, to 

 utter that jovous whistle which resounds so merrily 

 in forest thickets and parks, when chestnut catkins begin 

 to bloom. They build their .nest very early, and if the 

 first brood does not live on account of the cold, the 

 female is not discouraged and begins to lay her eggs 

 a second time. They build their nest nearly even with 

 the soil , or sometimes in the hollow of some old willow. 

 Their nest bears a great resemblance to that of the 

 thrush ; it is made of solid masonry and woven very dex- 

 terously ; a layer of clay covers it on the outside, on the 

 inside it is lined with grass and roots, and again with 

 soft moss. The female lays four or five bluish green eggs, 

 spotted with rust. She broods them alone, while the male 

 is fluttering to and fro, whistling merrily and searching 

 at the same time for food ; this he brings back to his 

 mate after having divided it into pieces. 



The disposition of the blackbird; is very jovial; it is 



