THE BLACKBIRD. 199 



The female is of a brownish black, with the breast of a 

 reddish hue, and the belly grayish ; the throat is spotted with 

 dark and light brown. It is also rather larger than the male, 

 which has led some persons who were not well acquainted with 

 it to make another species of it. 



The white variety is very well known; there is besides the 

 streaked, the black with a white head, and the pearl gray. 



HABITATION. When wild the blackbird is found all over the old world, 

 as well as in Germany ; it is the only species of its genus which does not 

 migrate thence 



CATO'S BLACKBIRD'S CAGE 



In confinement it is kept in a large cage ; it is better to keep it separate 

 because, whether from spite or jealousy, it is often inclined, like the tits, 

 to pursue and kill its little companions of the aviary or room. 



FOOD When wild the blackbird eats berries, and, in winter, when 

 insects are scarce, he seeks them near warm springs. 



In confinement he is satisfied with the first universal paste, but he also 

 eats biead, meat, and anything which comes to table, such as a bit ol 



