AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



73 



".^^ the graniverous birds whose food is more plentiful, 

 y ^ but scatter out over wide areas, and thus better their 

 /'-^^B fare. They bear the same relation to other birds 

 %- that take their food from the trees, as Snipes and 

 Woodcocks bear to Thrushes and Quails — inatis, they 

 bore into the wood as the Snipe bores into "-h^ earth, 

 while the Thrushes and Quails seek t\<i msects that 

 crawl on the surface of the ground. Besides these 

 there are a few birds that take part of their food 

 from trees and the rest from the ground. The 

 thrushes do not refuse an insect or grub that is 

 crawling upon a tree, but they forage chiefiv upon 

 the surface of the ground. 

 The Blackbirds are also guardians of the soil, and apparently are far 

 more industrious than the Thrushes. However, a little observation 

 will correct this delusion. The common Robin hunts bis food in a list- 

 less, unconcerned way that is very deceptive, He 

 hops about the field with his bill inclined upward, 

 apparently oblivious to any object in view then he 

 makes two or three more hops, and again pauses^ 

 with his bill turned upward in listless un- 

 concern. But presently there is a quick 

 dart and a vigorous pecking upon the 

 ground, and if you are near enough you 

 will find him pulling out a cutworm or de- 

 vouring a nest of insects which are gath- 

 ered in a cluster. On the other hand. Blackbirds seldom hold up their 

 heads, but march along with their bills turned downward, as if entirely 

 devoted to their task. They never seem to be idle, except when a flock 

 of them are making a garrulous noise upon a tree. If a Blackbird 

 looks upwards it is only by a sudden movement; he does not stop. 

 After watching a Blackbird and a Robin ten minutes in the same field, 

 one would suppose that the Blackbird had collected twice as much food 

 as the Robin during that time, But this would not be true. The 

 Robin is probably endowed wath a greater reach of sight than the 

 Blackbird, and while hopping about with his head erect, his vision com- 

 prehends a wider space. He not only watches for a sight of his prey, 

 but also for marks upon vegitation that denote the place of its conceal- 

 ment. 



The omniverous Blackbird hunts the soil for everything that is 



