THE BLACKBIRD. 



Turdus mcrtda. 



NOWN in various parts of the 

 country by the names of 

 "Merle" and " Ousel" (al- 

 though now somewhat obso- 

 lete) , the Blackbird was thus 

 concisely described by Shak- 

 speare, i.e. 



" The woosel cock so black of hue, 

 With orange tawny bill." 



The plumage of the male 

 Blackbird is of an uniform 

 deep black, not radiant, as in 

 the Raven, although it is cer- 

 tainly a little more brilliant 

 in spring-time. The beak of 

 the adult bird is of a rich 

 yellow; the eyelids, too, are 

 of the same hue. The 

 plumage of the female is 

 blackish-brown, lighter upon 

 the throat and breast, which 

 latter is tinged with rust 

 colour, and the beak is much 

 duller, becoming partially 

 yellow in the breeding season. 



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