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THE BLACKBIRD. 



BLACK.BIUDS. 



THE BLACKBIRD. 



The food of the Blackbird consists principally of Worms and shelled 

 Snails ; the latter of which, in order to get at the animal, it dashes with 

 great dexterity against the stones. All kinds of insects, as well as fruit, 

 it also eagerly seeks after. In confinement it will eat crumbs of bread ; 

 and even flesh, either raw or cooked. 



This is a solitary bird : never congregating, and in general preferring 

 woods and retired situations. 



Blackbirds breed early in the spring. They prepare a nest composed 

 externally of green moss, fibrous roots, and other similar materials: the 

 inside is plastered with earth, and afterwards lined with fine dry grass. 

 The nest is usually placed in a thick bush, against the side of a tree, or 

 on a stump in the side of a bank. The female lays four or five light- 

 blue eggs, thickly covered with pale rust-colored spots, particularly at 

 the large end. 



When the young ones are taken from the nest, they should for 



