io8 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



ffilacfebirfc. 



THE Blackbird (Mentla merula, Linnasus) is a widely dis- 

 tributed resident species in the British Islands. It is also 

 a resident in most parts of Europe, the Azores, Northern 

 Africa, and Palestine. In summer it visits those regions only 

 which are immediately south of the Arctic Circle. The 

 adult male has the whole of the plumage glossy black, with 

 the exception of the primaries, which are a shade browner; 

 irides, dark brown; bill, orange-yellow; legs and feet, dark 

 brown. Length, from ten to eleven inches. The adult 

 female is easily recognised by its umber-brown and rufous 

 colouration. The young females are, above, blackish-brown, 

 with most of the feathers streaked with pale rufous ; under 

 parts, light rufous-brown. 



