36 MERULIN.E. 



tasted it, and found it equal to any of the thrushes. Perhaps 



the writer argued from the mythic belief of the Sonnah : 



u That the souls of those in Purgatory were in the crops of 

 blackbirds, exposed to hell fire morning and evening, until 

 the Judgment Day." As for tame hawks refusing them for 

 food, they may, but wild hawks seem to think them a sin- 

 gular relish. 



This species, like the thrush, pairs early, and generally has. 

 two broods during the season. The nest is a large bulky 

 structure, composed of grasses and twigs, and lined inside 

 with mud, and is usually placed in a hawthorn or holly bush, 

 and as often amongst long grass by the ditch side ; the eggs 

 average from four to six, in colour pale green, speckled with 

 rusty browTi. 



The lover of nature knows few greater pleasures than, 

 during the summer months, to listen to the blackbird's de- 

 lightful melody. Generally, this is poured forth during the 

 calm hours of early morning, and again towards sunset for, 

 like a good musician, conscious of his powers, he waits for 

 silence to commence. 



The mowers have departed from their fragrant toil, a few 

 faint rays still linger on the hay-field, all is silent ! except 

 the occasional hum from the distant village ; even wearied 

 nature seems exhausted. Then! breaking the oppressive 

 silence, comes the wild and varied melody of the dusky merle 

 a few low notes form a prelude to his strain ; gradually the 

 volume is increased, mellow and softened he pours his soul in 

 song ; an interval of silence, and presently at the distance 

 of a mile, like an echo of the former, a rival blackbird takes 

 up the strain. There comes no interruption ; and the com- 

 bined chorus of many now swell the sweet strain : in eager 

 haste they pour forth a flood of melody, and, with the fading 

 reflections of the departing sun, their united melody 



" Comes like a hymn from heaven along," 



singing, as it were, a requiem for the passing day. Well 

 might our own Ossian have sung: u It was pleasant to hear 

 the blackbird singing sweetly on the top of the thorn." Or 

 in the Glossary of Cormac : 



*' Sweet the warbling of the blackbird 

 About the lonely Rath of Fiach." 



So much was thought of the melody of the woods by the 



