CHAPTER XXY. 



The Blackbird. 



Turdus merula, Lin. ; Merle, Buf. 



Description and Charactee. — The Blackbird is one of the 

 most popular and widely known of our British song birds, 

 and is justly esteemed, not only on account of its fine song, 

 but for its docility and cheerful disposition. When a bird 

 of this species is reared by hand from the nest, treated with 

 kindness, and petted, it frequently displays a disposition to be 

 frolicsome, and a desire to be fondled. It is a most intelligent bird, 

 and at times gives undoubted evidence of ingenuity and dexterity. 



The male is 9Mn. to lOin. long, the tail measuring 4in. 

 The bill is ^in. long, and, in the spring and summer, of a yel- 

 lowish orange colour. The eyes are bright rich brown, and are 

 encircled by a rim of vivid yellow. The entire plumage of a 

 mature bird is deep black, the wings being rather paler than 

 the body feathers ; the inner web of the flight feathers is 

 tinctured with brown ; the legs and feet are dusky brown, 

 which colour is paler in caged than newly-caught birds. 

 Before moulting, the male is more like a mature female, being 

 of a rusty brownish black ; but he may be known by the rich 

 colour of the ring that encircles the irides (the yellow circle 

 surrounding the eyes). The beak of a young male is black, 

 the rich orange hue not being attained until the bird is about 

 a year old. There are pied, and even white, specimens of 

 these birds to be met with, but they are rarely seen. 



Habits and Breeding. — The Blackbird inhabits the greater 

 part of Europe. It is a species of Thrush, and is sometimes 



