24 



KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



towards the return of spring. Yet do we 

 alreadv mark among the thrushes and the 

 blackbirds an increased activity ; and certain 

 peculiarities in their approaches towards 

 each other, and in their "delicate attentions," 

 which convince us they will all " mate " at 

 a very early day. 



We were busy musing at the remote end 

 of our garden, a few days since, immediately 

 under the shade of some lofty firs — and in the 

 close proximity of the holly and the laurel, 

 when some " well-known sounds " saluted 

 our ear, which we recognised as the notes 

 of dalliance. Several pairs of thrushes and 

 several pairs of blackbirds were busily 

 agitating the brushwood, and flitting rest- 

 lessly along the whole length of a holly- 

 hedge ; pursuing each other, as these birds do, 

 even at this early season of the year. All 

 this gives the note of preparation for early 

 incubation. 



We have observed, too, certain incipient 

 signs of approaching familiarity between 

 cock-robin and his intended associate. The 

 courtship of these birds is completely sui 

 generis. They meet en avarice, and as quickly 

 retire en derriere; repeating these preparatory 

 interviews from morning till night. They 

 then separate altogether. They go through 

 the same observances on the morrow, and 

 the day following ; and when their flirtations 

 are completely over, the " proposal " is made, 

 the " offer " considered, and the happy red- 

 breast made a worthy husband for the 

 season. His trammels are then thrown off — 

 a divorce is mutually agreed upon, and both 

 parties once more retire to ". Liberty Hall." 

 We note these little episodes as we go on ; 

 for the innocence of birds, and their winning 

 ways, cannot be too closely scrutinised and 

 admired. 



The robins and the blackbirds are among 

 the very first of the feathered tribe to bestir 

 themselves for the provision of a family. 

 Ere the trees have any clothing, you may 

 see, in a private garden, nidification com- 

 mencing at the very beginning of February. 



The blackbird of last year arrives at 

 maturity in the following spring ; assuming, 

 with the change of season, a jet-black, glossy 

 livery, and a bill as yellow as gold. The 

 orbs of the eye, too, become bright yellow ; 

 and the whole figure bold and dauntless. 

 The hen is of a dusky, dark brown color, 

 and her eyes less brilliant than those of the 

 male. 



The instinct of the blackbird is by no 

 means remarkable. There are very few birds 

 indeed so palpably obtuse ; for they build 

 their nests in situations which, for the most 

 part, expose them to certain robbery by idle 

 boys and iron-hearted men. Hence the 

 quantities of young birds exposed for sale 

 at the commencement of March. We would 



remark, en passant, that as this bird is very 

 prolific, it is just possible Nature might have 

 given it a limited instinct, with a view to an 

 excess of numbers being thereby prevented. 

 It is quite certain, that if these birds were 

 not thinned in some way, their race would 

 multiply to an alarming extent. They suffer 

 greatly during the winter by the " rough 

 practice " of the " cockney sportsman," who 

 contrives to wound many hundreds, whilst 

 perhaps he kills only one ; and that, by the 

 merest accident. 



With all the slaughter, however, dealt out 

 amongst them during the winter months, we 

 always find plenty of survivors left to greet 

 us from the top of the highest tree, at the 

 earliest dawn of spring. We can already 

 number in our own immediate precincts at 

 least a dozen ; and twice that number of 

 thrushes — with wrens, robins, and tit mice, 

 ad libitum. Sacred is our rural dwelling to 

 the happiness and perfect enjoyment of these 

 melodious rogues. Secure from pursuit, 

 snug in the bosom of their affectionate 

 families, and in the midst of plenty, with us 

 all the feathered tribes are in safeguard. 

 Woe be to him who levels a hollow tube, 

 " big with mischief," at any of the settlers 

 on our ground, who come to share the rites 

 of our hospitality — we mean if we should 

 catch him in the act ! Once or twice lately, 

 we have heard a neighbor's gun in active 

 "discharge" of its enjoined duties; but we 

 trust that, after this " notice," it will be put 

 by for the season. " Cruelty " is indefensible 

 under any plea. 



Whilst the blackbird is busily rehearsing 

 his vernal songs, just let us take a " peep " 

 at the construction of his nest. The materials 

 used are — fibrous roots, green moss, and 

 similar matters ; the inside being plastered, 

 or cased, with damp mould, and subsequently 

 lined with dry grass. The site chosen is 

 sometimes a thick bush, sometimes a laurel, 

 and occasionally it is placed on the side of a 

 bank. The number of eggs laid seldom 

 exceeds five. These are covered with brown 

 spots at the larger end. The period of in- 

 cubation is fourteen days. 



Whilst we now write, the blackbirds in 

 our immediate neighborhood are full of life 

 and energy ; and we can ever and anon catch 

 the harmony (still low) of then.' sweet voices. 

 Their love is already declared, their suit has 

 been pressed, their " acceptance" made sure, 

 their " happiness " perfected. With such a 

 mutual compact formed — how faithfully and 

 religiously will it be kept ! We may speedily 

 expect the vernal melody to commence in 

 earnest. 



There is much diversity of opinion about 

 the cause of birds singing. Why there should 

 be more than one opinion, we know not. 

 Birds sing, as we sing — because they are 



