I 



THE BLACKBIRD. 29 



tary bird, living in woods, hedges, and thickets ; 

 nor docs it appear that we have many accessions 

 of these birds from the north. It makes its nest 

 in Marcli or April, in large gardens, or thick 

 hedges, or bushes of evergreen, frequently taking 

 advantage of the dark green ivy, which, at this 

 cold season, ofiers a secure covert from wind and 

 rain : and which, during the early spring, has 

 allordcd in its dark ben*ies, so good a supply of 

 food. The nest is composed externally of iibrcs, 

 moss, and small twigs ; while a thick coating of 

 mud forms an inner wall, which is well lined witli 

 tine grass. The eggs, which are four or five in 

 number, are of a dull bluish green, with darker 

 blotches. Bishop ^Mant describes this structure, 

 as placed, 



'* The overarchiug boughs between 

 Of some selected evergreen, 

 Of laurel thick, or bmnching fir, 

 Or bed of pleawtnt lavender, 

 To lodge secure their pendent home, 

 A well wove frame, with moisten'd loam 

 Within cemented ; and without 

 Rough but compactly, all about 

 With moss and fibrous roots entwined. 

 And wnther'd bent grass softly lined, 

 Where may repose, in season due. 

 Their pregnant balls of chiUky blue, 

 Besprent about the flatten'd crown 

 With pallid spots of chestnut bruwn." 



