in the thicker parts of hedges ; sometimes in the hollow of a 

 stump or amongst the curled and twisted roots of old trees, 

 which, projecting from the banks of woods or woodland lanes, 

 wreathed with their trails of ivy, afford the most picturesque 

 little hollows for the purpose. Again, it may be found under 

 the roof of out-houses or cart -sheds, laid on the wall-plate ; and 

 very frequently in copses, in the stumps of pollard trees, partly 

 concealed by their branches ; and is often begun before the leaves 

 are on the trees. The nest is composed of dry bents, and lined 

 with fine dry grass. The hen generally lays five eggs, which 

 are of a dusky bluish-green, thickly covered with black spots ; 

 altogether very much resembling those of crows, rooks, magpies, 

 and that class of birds. 



Universal favourite as the blackbird deservedly is, yet, in 

 common with the thrush, all gardeners are their enemies from 

 the great liking they have for his fruit, especially currants, 

 raspberries, and cherries. There is, however, something very 

 amusing, though, at the same time, annoying, in the sly way by 

 which they approach these fruits, quite aware that they are on a 

 mischievous errand. They steal along, flying low and silently, 

 and, if observed, will hide themselves in the nearest growth of 

 garden plants, scarlet runners, or Jerusalem artichokes, where 

 they remain as still as mice, till they think the human enemy 

 has moved off. If, however, instead of letting them skulk 

 quietly in their hiding-place, he drives them away, they fly off 

 with a curious note, very like a little chuckling laugh of 

 defiance, as if they would say, " Ha ! ha ! we shall soon be back 

 again !" which they very soon are. 



But we must not begrudge them their share, though they 



