OUR THRUSHES. 99 



heard save the "chirrup" of the partridge as he 

 calls to his mate in the furrow. Without one single 

 preparatory note, some feathered creature has burst 

 out into glorious song. It is the blackbird, and now 

 from over the river another joins him. As we lean 

 over a field-gate to listen to him, the scent of the 

 fresh-turned furrows comes to us, bringing a feeling 

 of life and health with it. The bird's song rises 

 and falls, to ring out again, if possible, sweeter 

 than before ; it brings back to us many memories 

 of happy boyhood and childhood's careless days. 



Pepys in his Diary has mentioned the blackbird. 

 On May 22, 1663, he has this passage entered : 

 " Kendall, the house carpenter at Deptford, hath 

 sent me a fine blackbird which I went to see. He 

 tells me he was offered twenty shillings for him as 

 he came along, he do so whistle." On the 23d 

 there is another entry : " Waked this morning 

 between four and five by my blackbird, which 

 whistled as well as ever I heard any ; only it is the 

 beginning of many tunes, very well ; but then leaves 

 them and goes no further." He is best in his native 

 thickets, that is his proper place and home, but to 

 those who keep him and treat him well, he is as 



