BlllOS. 2.'>?) 



note of all greater birds l)eiiig eitlier screaming, chattering, ur 

 croaking. It feeds on insects, holly, and mistletoe-berries ; and 

 sometimes sends forth a very disagreeable scream when frighted 

 or disturbed. 



The blackbird, which in cold countries, and particularly upon ' 

 the Alps, is sometimes seen all over white, is a beautiful and ca- 

 norous bird, whistling all the spring and summer time with a note, 

 at a distance, the most pleasing of all the grove. It is the deep- 

 est toned warbler of the woods ; but it is rather unj)lcasant in u 

 cage, being loud and deafening. It lays four or five bluish eggs, 

 in a nest usually built at tiie stump of some old hawthorn, well 

 plastered on the inside with clay, straw, and hair. 



ferring a solitary life, which it passes in woods or in well inclosed situa. 

 tions, where the Iiedges aflord it an abundant supply ot provision for tlie 

 \vinter. — It also feeds upon worms and insects, and like the thrash, is parti- 

 cularly fond of the hcli.r nemoralis, to obtain the snail of which it piu-sues 

 the same process as that bird. The notes of the blackbird are rich and full, 

 but destitute of that varied power of melody which distinguishes the song 

 of the common thrush. — It commences building its nest in March, or the 

 bej^inning of April ; and a thick bush or an ivy-clad tree, is usually the cho- 

 sen situation. The nest is composed of moss, small sticks, and fibres of root, 

 plastered «-ith mud internally, and afterwards lined with fine dry grass. 

 Here it deposites fo.'ir or five eggs, of a bluish-green colour, blotched with 

 darker variegations. Like the thrush, it is frequently kept in confinement, 

 and may be taught to wliistle a variety of tunes, as well as to imitate the 

 human voice. 



Rhig. Ouzel. — The periodical visits of this bird to our coasts are contrary 

 to others of its genus that migrate, viz. the field-fare, redwing, and common 

 thrush ; as it arrives in the spring, and immediately rerorts to the moun- 

 tainous districts of England and Scotland, preferring those of the most stony 

 and barren nature. In these situations it breeds, and rears its young. — The 

 nest is usually placed on some steep bank, supported by a projecting stunt, 

 ed bush, or a tuft of grass or heath ; sometimes also in the cleft, or on the 

 fchelf of a rock. In form and texture it resembles that of the blackbird, and 

 the eggs are very similar to those of the same bird, both in size and colour. 

 — Its song, which it utters perched on the top of some stone or the summit 

 of a rock, is confined to a few clear and powerful notes, not unlike those ol 

 the missel-thrush. Like most of its tribe, it is of a shy disposition, and does 

 not readily admit of a near approai'h, except during the period when its 

 nest contains unfledged young ; at which time it most strenuously endea- 

 vours to divert the attention of the intruder by loud cries and feigned ges. 

 tures. As autumn approaches, it quits its mountainous haunts, journeying 

 southwards ; and, about the latter part of October, leaves tins kingdom for 

 warmer climates, where it passes the winter. It is common in Sweden, 

 France, and Germany; but according to Temminck, is very rare in Hoi. 

 laud. 



