THE BLACKBIRD. 55 



prettily marked shells : these shells the Blackbird breaks 

 open and preys upon the snails within. Insects and 

 grubs are also eaten, and in the autumn months the 

 berries of the mountain ash, service tree, hawthorn, and 

 wild rose are eaten in abundance. Our garden fruits are 

 also eaten, wild fruits too are preyed upon — notably the 

 wild raspberry, blackberry, and sloe. Should his depre- 

 dations amongst your fruit trouble you, take not his life, 

 and bear in mind his labours in the spring time make 

 ample amends for any losses of fruit that occur in 

 autumn, and his music is as charming as that of any 

 other songster that fills the grove with gladness. 



The Blackbird is a pugnacious creature in pairing 

 time. A little before the period of the vernal equinox 

 it is no uncommon thing to see male Blackbirds fighting 

 with perfect fury, chasing each other through the branches 

 until one comes off victorious, and the other slinks 

 silently away. Most birds are more or less pugnacious 

 in the mating season, although peaceable enough at 

 other times, yet this does not hold good with Black- 

 birds, for at all times you will frequently see them dis- 

 playing animosity towards each other. 



The song of the Blackbird commences the latter part 

 of February, and continues with increasing powers until 

 the end of May, when his notes are on the wane through- 

 out June's leafy month, and in July his mellow pipe is 

 hushed in the autumnal moult until the advent of the 

 following spring. The song of the Blackbird is rich and 

 full in its tone, but possesses little variety : however, there 

 is not a doubt but what the Blackbird's melody ranks 

 as one of the finest amongst all the songsters frequent- 

 ing our land in summer and winter alike. The Blackbird 

 will, though rarely it is true, warble his delightful strain 

 when coursing through the air. Early morning, about 



