4.2 NATURAL HISTORY. 



then continuing its coarse. The Missel Thrush, the Fieldfare, and the Redwing frequently take 

 long flights, and are often seen advancing at the height of several hundred yards ; but the Blackbird 

 i-arely ventures on a long excursion, but prefers skulking, as it were, among the hedges and tree.s. 

 Compared with the Song Thrush, it is a* very lively bird, and it is amusing to observe one that has 

 just alighted on a twig; and see how gracefully it bends forward, throws up its tail, jerking it at 

 intervals, depresses and at intervals flaps its wings, and then perhaps flits to another branch, where 

 it performs the same motions, or alights on. the wall, hops along, suddenly stops, jerks its tail, flaps its 

 wings, and then commences singing. 



" Even in severe weather in winter Blackbirds are not gregarious ; and on no occasion have I 

 seen more than three or four together, and that only for a few minutes. Although a male and a 

 female may sometimes associate during that season, it is much more common to find them solitary. 

 Nor does this species cherish the society of any other, though it may be seen in the vicinity of a Song 

 Thrush, a Hedge Chanter, or other small bird. While the Fieldfares and Redwings cover a field in 

 search of food, the Blackbirds very seldom venture amongst them, but prefer the shelter of the fences. 

 The female is less clamorous than the male, who, on being alarmed or irritated, especially in the 

 breeding season, emits a loud clear chuckling cry, in some degree approaching to the chatter of the 

 Magpie, fluttering or flapping its wings, and bending its body forward at the same time. This 

 remarkable cry, variously modulated by different individuals, sometimes exhibits a slight resemblance 

 to the cackle of a domestic hen after laying ; but whether it be the same as that alluded to by a 

 correspondent in the 'Naturalist,' as similar to the crowing of a cock, and by the editor of that journal 

 as resembling the notes of several varieties of that species, I am unable to determine, not having 

 listened to the individuals mentioned by them. This much, however, I have observed, not as a 

 singular circumstance, nor even as one common to a few individuals, but as exhibited at all seasons, 

 at the period of breeding, and in the middle of winter, and by very many birds of the species, that 

 the male, on perching, whether on a tree or on the ground, but especially on the former, raises his 

 tail, flutters, it might almost be said, flaps his wings, emits his chuckling cry, and continues balancing 

 himself, or hops along, repeating the notes, which, should he be alarmed, or in any way excited, are 

 sometimes raised and prolonged, so that a person fond of tracing affinities and analogies might 

 naturally enough liken it to the crowing of a cock. 



" It is not in the wild valley, flanked with birchen slopes, and stretching far away among the 

 craggy hills, that the music of the Blackbird floats upon the evening breeze. There you may listen 

 delighted to the gentle song of the Mavis ; but here, in the plain, covered with cornfields, and skirted 

 with gardens, sit thee down on the green turf by the gliding brook, and mark the little black speck 

 stuck, as it were, upon the top twig of that tall poplar. It is a Blackbird, for now the sweet strain, 

 loud, but mellowed by distance, comes upon the ear, inspiring pleasant thoughts, and banishing care 

 and sorrow. The bird has evidently learnt his part by long practice, for he sings sedately and in the 

 full consciousness of superiority. Ceasing at intervals, he renews the strain, varying it so that although 

 you can trace an occasional repetition of notes, the staves are never precisely the same. You may sit 

 an hour, or longer, and yet the song will be continued ; and in the neighbouring gardens many rival 

 songsters will sometimes raise their voices at once, or delight you with alternate strains. And now, 

 what is the purpose of all this melody ? We can only conjecture that it is the expression of the pei'fect 

 happiness which the creature is enjoying, when, uncarked by care, conscious of security, and aware of 

 the presence of his mate, he instinctively pours forth his soul in joy and gratitude and love. He does 

 not sing to amuse his mate, as many have supposed, for he often sings in winter when he has not yet 

 mated ; nor does he sing to beguile his solitude, for now he is not solitary ; but he sings because all his 

 wants are satisfied, his whole frame glowing with health, and because his Maker has gifted him with 

 the power of uttering sweet sounds." 



" That some of the notes of birds," writes Mr. Weir, " are a language which conveys a direct 

 meaning, may, I presume, be inferred from the following interesting occurrence, which took place at 

 half- past three o'clock, an occurrence which I witnessed with the most anxious curiosity, and which I 

 could scarcely have believed had I not seen it. The female having brought a large worm, I am sure 

 more than four inches in length, put it into the mouth of one of the young, and then flew away. Upon 

 her return, having perceived that it was sticking in its throat, she set up a moan of distress. To her 



