THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



of the Thrush, forms the most familiar bird-music of 

 rural London, and must recall to countless toilers in the 

 Great City memories of green countrysides and distant 

 homes, of younger and more peaceful days, free from the 

 stress and turmoil that throbs unceasingly around them 

 here. Amidst such scenes and surroundings the song of 

 the Blackbird in London can never be more than an echo 

 of the country. During April and May he keeps in 

 splendid voice ; there is a marked decrease in June ; and 

 in July it ceases for the year in the annual moult which 

 then begins. Every reader must be familiar with the 

 Blackbird, either as it hops fearlessly about the grass or 

 scurries off into the evergreens startled and uttering a 

 string of loud cries, lifting its long tail above its 

 back just as it alights. It is pugnacious enough, and 

 rarely allows another of the same sex to share its own 

 particular haunt. This trait is specially marked in spring, 

 when males may be seen in the London parks and else- 

 where chasing each other amongst the shrubberies. The 

 food of this species during spring and summer is largely 

 composed of worms, grubs, slugs, and certain insects ; 

 in summer the bird levies a heavy toll upon the suburban 

 fruit gardens ; whilst in autumn and winter berries of 

 many kinds are eaten. It pairs early in spring, and may 

 be found nesting from March onwards to August. The 

 first nests of the season are usually made in an evergreen, 

 but later on as deciduous trees come into leaf almost 

 every kind of tree or bush is selected. In many of the 

 London parks the nest will often be made within a few 

 paces of frequented paths. It is composed of dry grass, 

 twigs, dead leaves, and moss, lined first with mud and 

 then with fine dry grass. The eggs are from four to six, 

 greenish blue, spotted and freckled with reddish brown 

 and grey. Both parents incubate ; and if disturbed 

 frequently utter a very plaintive note, something like 

 the " weeping " cry of the Robin at the same season. 



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