THE BLACKBIRD. 



41 



great energy, and after some exertion succeeded in dragging out a worm of moderate size, which it 

 immediately threw on the ground. It then pecked at the worm for nearly a minute, and, beginning 

 at one end, separated by a sudden stroke a small portion, which it swallowed. In this manner it 

 proceeded until it had devoured the whole, not swallowing at any time more than a small fragment. 

 It then hopped about, looking now and then attentively at a certain spot, and at length began to dig 

 vehemently for another worm, which it soon procured. This was the first time that I had closely 

 watched a Blackbird while searching for worms ; but I have since had repeated opportunities of 

 convincing myself that it always proceeds in the same manner, never swallowing an entire worm 

 unless it happens to be extremely small, and cutting the very large ones into a great number of pieces. 



BLACKBIRD. 



The sides of walls and hedges are favourite places of resort, for there it readily procures worms and 

 snails. In hard weather it often eats the berries of the hawthorn, which it swallows whole, and 

 betakes itself to the corn- yards, where it picks up seed chiefly on the ground. When searching for 

 food, it hops or leaps with great alacrity, keeping its tail a little raised and its wings loose ; and when 

 perched on a tree, twig, or wall, it generally elevates its tail, unless disposed to doze, in which case it 

 di-aws in its neck, ruffles its plumage, tucks up its wings, and allows the tail to droop. When 

 disturbed, it flies off uttering a loud chuckling noise, which, although clear and shrill, reminds you of 

 the chatter of the Magpie ; and you may pursue it from one part of a hedge to another, until you 

 obtain it, for it seldom shifts to a great distance. Although thus easily procured, it is yet decidedly 

 shy, and in this respect differs greatly from the Song Thrush, which imagines itself secure at a very 

 short distance. The flight of the Blackbird over an open space is steady, without undulations ; but 

 along the hedges is wavering and fitful, and the bird suddenly darts into the place which it selects, 

 and instantly settles. During the breeding season its flight is peculiar, for than the female especially 

 moves through the air as if by starts, performing a single flap, followed by a considerable interval, and 



