WHITE'S THRUSH BLACKBIRD. 35 



1842, near Bandon, in the county of Cork. In the Fauna of 

 that county the gentleman at whose place it was obtained, 

 saw what he believed to be another of the same species there, 

 but when is not mentioned.* Of such excessive rarity is this 

 species over the European and Asiatic continents, that only 

 in the island of Java it occurs in any numbers. f 

 Habitat Asia. 



SPECIES 34 THE BLACKBIRD. 



Turdus merula. Linn. 

 Merle noir. Temm. 



Merle. 



OF the many birds rendered remarkable for their melody, this 

 species stands pre-eminent, and being very widely distributed, 

 has become a universal favourite with all classes. 



The blackbird frequents the vicinity of gardens, shrub- 

 beries, low brushwood, and, indeed, any locality affording 

 good cover and secure shelter. However, the blackbird, al- 

 though as widely distributed as the thrush, appears not so 

 common. Its retired and shy habits, and unwillingness to 

 perch aloft, make it appear more scarce than it really is. In 

 like manner with the thrush, its food consists of snails, slugs, 

 worms, and berries ; and in the spring it is an unwelcome 

 visitor to the orchard. However, its extreme fondness for 

 fruit is amply recompensed by its delightful song, and its 

 services in destroying many pests of the gardener. Rambling 

 on a country road, or in a shrubbery, we seldom fail to become 

 acquainted with the blackbird by its giving instant notice 

 of our approach in a singularly loud and startling alarm-cry, 

 which, when heard for the first time in an unfrequented loca- 

 lity, we believe few persons do not show evident symptoms of 

 disquietude, and it has generally happened that the blackbird's 

 terror becomes transferred to the unconscious intruder. 



This species is frequently caged, and learns to whistle the 

 first notes of tunes, which generally is the amount of its 

 ability. Remarkable, when wild, for its shy habits, when 

 caged it loses its natural timidity, and becomes a bold and 

 forward pet, unlike the song thrush, which, when wild, is a bird 

 of bold habits, but when caged generally shy and timid. 



In a recent work on Natural History the author has re- 

 marked of the blackbird, " that its flesh is most singularly 

 unpalatable, and even refused by tame hawks." We have 



* Thompson. t Temminck. 



D2 



