The Blackbird 



and fruit ripens, visits are paid to the neighbouring orchards 

 and gardens, the spoils from which form, during the season, 

 a very large proportion of their diet, so there is no doubt 

 that the gardeners' complaints of them are only too well 

 justified. With the advent of the migration season in 

 September and October large numbers leave our shores, 

 only, we fear, to be caught and eaten by our neighbours 

 across the Channel, where members of the Thrush family 

 are considered great delicacies. Many however remain, 

 spending the winter in thick hedgerows, shrubberies, and 

 woods, or anywhere in fact where there is a bush high 

 enough to shelter them. Furze -covered commons are 

 favourite localities, as are also the open heather-covered 

 tops of low hills. 



Our friends, however, do not all follow the laws of migra- 

 tion ; some do not leave the neighbourhood of their home 

 unless driven away by stronger rivals. And so it happens 

 that year by year, as winter relaxes its grasp, we can see 

 our orange-billed friend on his accustomed perch in hedge 

 or bush singing away in full consciousness that his own 

 power has earned him the right to do so, and quite prepared 

 to defend it again and again, till in course of time he is 

 ousted by another minstrel, who reigns in his stead by the 

 law that " might is right." The Blackbirds found migrating 

 along our shores are either the surplus population, driven 

 farther afield by competition, or wanderers from the colder 

 parts of the Continent of Europe from which it regularly 

 migrates. 



The male is of a uniform deep glossy black, with bright 

 orange bill. Legs and feet black. Iris hazel. Young 



17 3 



