140 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRDS. 



THE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD. 



THIS is a deservedly popular bird with all classes of bird-lovers, and one which 

 combines with his own sweet natural song most remarkable powers of imitation. 

 The Bullfinch has a great rival in the Blackbird ; and, if the latter were more widely 

 trained, he would, no doubt, surpass even the perfection of trained song supposed to 

 be attained only by the Bullfinch. 



The description of the male Blackbird's plumage is easily written : it is black 

 throughout, and shines with a beautiful velvety lustre. The beak is an inch long, and 

 almost black until the bird is two years old ; and then it becomes a brilliant orange, 

 showing in a marked manner against the jet-black plumage of the body : the eyelids 

 are also of the same brilliant color, and surround a bright, full brown eye. He is 

 ten inches in length, and well proportioned. 



The female Blackbird is so differently marked from the male as to lead most 

 persons to suspect that they are an entirely different species. The head, neck, and 

 back are dark brown ; the throat and breast are rust color ; the belly pale brown. 

 The Blackbird is a member of the Thrush famity, and is often called the Black 

 Thrush, and greatly resembles the Song Thrush in many of his habits. 



The Blackbird is very shy in his wild state, and is not easily trapped : the 

 favorite birds of this class are the nestlings. If these are taken at an early age, 

 and carefully reared, they become practiced musicians, and will not only imitate the 

 songs of other birds placed within hearing, but will pipe operatic songs in a perfect 

 manner. 



Blackbirds are very intelligent, and their devotion to their young is remarkable. 

 A pair oftentimes succeeds in driving away a Cat which attemps to devour a nest of 

 their young. They also have, in a measure, the cunning and mischief of the Crow ; 

 although they are not so destructive to the farmer. 



Many amusing anecdotes are told of the Blackbird's singular attachment for 

 animals : he readily becomes attached to the house dog or cat ; and, although the 

 latter always has one eye on the pet Canary, he never seems to think that his friend 

 the Blackbird would make a more substantial meal. The bird will peck at the cat's 

 tail, and take a ride in perfect safety on the dog's back, and will battle with any 

 intruder who may dispute him in these acquired rights. 



The natural song of the Blackbird is very flute-like and melodious, and, though 

 not so varied as the Song Thrush's melody, is more rich and mellow. He commences 

 his song very early in the morning, and sings late in the evening ; and it is said that 

 he is a rival of the famous Mocking-bird as a night songster. They appear to put 

 forth all their efforts during the continuance of a rain-storm, and at no other time is 



