530 CLASS AVES. 



of moderate length, and the next gradually increasing ; they 

 thus differ from the wings of the Turdus, where the four quill- 

 feathers succeeding the first are nearly of equal length, and 

 the first almost spurious. The tail is long and graduated, 

 which, in the true thrushes, is even; and the scales on the 

 acrotarsia are strongly conspicuous, while the tarsi of the 

 thrushes are entire. 



We shall now speak of the division of the Blackbirds. 



This name, Menda, is particularly given to the species 

 whose plumage is uniform, or varied only in large masses. 



The Blackbird, properly so called, is too well known to 

 need description. Some naturalists distinguish the blackbirds 

 generally from the thrushes by the vertical motion of the tail, 

 but we have already had occasion to see that this is found 

 among some species of the latter. 



The blackbird is solitary, living either alone or in company 

 with its female. Though naturally wild, it is more easily 

 tamed than the thrushes. It sojourns and nestles nearer inha- 

 bited places ; it is more distrustful and subtle, and is said to 

 have a more piercing sight, which enables it to discover the 

 fowler at a great distance ; it is therefore approached with 

 much more difficulty. 



The male has a powerful voice, but hardly supportable 

 except in the woods, or champaign country. It commences its 

 notes from the first fine days in the month of February, and 

 continues to sing until the fine season is pretty well advanced ; 

 it sings one of the longest of any of our birds. The love season 

 begins early with the blackbird, and it is not rare to see young 

 ones at the commencement of May. 



This species has two or three broods every year ; it builds 

 its nest in thick bushes, at a moderate height, or in the old 

 trunks of headless trees, covered with ivy ; it is composed of 

 moss, small roots, and dried herbs, bound together with clay, 

 and the interior is furnished with the softest materials. The 

 male and female work together at its construction with so much 



