212 MERULHLE. 



every season ; and those thus reared, it is believed, do not 

 migrate. 



The Blackbird frequents hedges, thickets, plantations, and 

 woods. They are shy, restless, and vigilant, frequenting the 

 ground under cover of evergreens and other shrubs that 

 serve to conceal them ; and if disturbed they take wing 

 with a vociferous chattering cry of alarm, and after a short 

 flight turn suddenly into some thick brake or hedgerow to 

 avoid further pursuit. 



The food of the Blackbird varies considerably with the 

 season. In the spring and early part of the summer it con- 

 sists of the larvae of insects, with worms and snails, the shells 

 of which are dexterously broken against a stone to get at 

 the soft body of the animal within : as the season advances, 

 they exhibit their great partiality for fruit of various sorts, 

 and their constant visits to the garden bring upon them the 

 vengeance of the gardener, whose gun is ever ready at 

 hand to repel or destroy the numerous intruders. When, 

 however, the enormous number of insects and their larvse, 

 with the abundance of slugs and snails, all injurious to 

 vegetation, which are eaten by Blackbirds throughout a 

 great portion of the year, are duly considered, it may fairly 

 be doubted whether the value of the fruit is not counter- 

 balanced by services performed, and I join in the recom- 

 mendation of the compassionate author of the poem on the 

 Birds of Scotland, who says, 



" Scare, if ye will, his timid wing away, 

 But, 0, let not the leaden viewless shower, 

 Vollied from flashing tube, arrest his flight, 

 And fill his tuneful, gaping bill with blood." 



GRAHAME. 



The song of the Blackbird is more remarkable for power 

 and quality of tone than for compass or variety. It is 

 usually much too loud except for the open air, and the 



