BLACKBIED, 



TURDUS MERULA, Linn. 



Turdus merula, Linn. S. N. i. p. 295 (1766) ; Naum. ii. 

 p. 326 ; Macg. ii. p. 81 ; Hewitson, i. p. 91 ; Yarr. 

 ed. 4^ i. p. 280; Dresser, ii. p. 91. 



Merle noir, French; Schwarzdrossel, German; Mirlo, 

 Merla, Spanish. 



Abundant and resident in almost all parts of the 

 British Islands, its numbers greatly augmented by 

 autumnal migrations from the continent. 



This species is found in most of the countries of 

 Europe, either as a resident or a winter visitor, and 

 breeds to my knowledge in Algeria. As is the case 

 with most birds of its family, the Blackbird is a local 

 migrant in the countries in which it breeds, but differs 

 from its congeners by seldom, if ever, travelling in 

 flocks. 1 believe that in favourable circumstances this 

 species often produces three broods of young in the 

 year. Enormous numbers of Blackbirds are annually 

 shot, snared, and netted for the table, in autumn, in 

 many parts of Southern Europe, notably in the island 

 of Corsica. 



