8 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE BLACKBIRD. 



PLATE VIII. 



The Blackbird breeds in solitary places, and conceals 

 her nest very artfully in the bottom of some close bush 

 near the ground. The nest before me was built in an 

 hawthorn, where it was concealed by surrounding 

 branches. 



The outside is composed of various kinds of moss, 

 which is wove and platted together with blades of 

 grass, dried leaves, &c. These are brought in plenty and 

 firmly bound together. Upon this is a coat of piaster, 

 composed of a mixture of clay and cow's dung, well 

 wrought and tempered together. And over this a soft 

 covering of the dried blades of hair-grass, which is 

 neatly wove and platted together in the bottom and 

 sides of the cavity, as well as upon the brim of the nest. 



In the nest was four eggs of a dusky blue green, with 

 numerous small points of a darker colour. 



The Blackbird sits concealed while he sings. In 



o 



breeding-time, his whistle is so loud and shrill as to 

 make the dales re-echo. When two are singing 

 at the same time within hearing of each other, they 

 will contend in song like the nightingale, each keep- 

 ing silence alternately till the other has repeated his 

 song. 



The Ouzle, as well as other birds of the thrush kind, 

 when taken in traps, or otherwise, are easily reclaimed 

 by being put in large cages with tame birds of the same 

 species, placing for a few days, haws, hips, worms, &c. 

 in the cage, still giving him fewer and fewer every dav, 

 and in the space of a fortnight he will wean himself, 

 and take the tame birds' food. 



