The Blackbird. 



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The body feathers should sit to the bird as close as wax ; 

 the wings must be even, well-shaped, and tightly braced up 

 to the body ; the tail full, but compact and well-carried, and 

 free from damaged feathers. The beak should be orange, 

 rich and deep in colour ; the irides, or skin that encircles 

 the iris of the eye, a bright yellow. The legs and feet must 

 be clean, and the claws perfect. If a bird that is frequently 

 shown injures his tail or wing feathers, withdraw them ; they 

 will be reproduced and fully grown in six weeks. A bird 

 with damaged plumage, or in a dirty condition, is not likely 

 to obtain a prize. Those fanciers who live in the country 

 can keep birds in the finest feather and show trim. 



General Remarks. — The Blackbird is regarded by most 

 people as the true harbinger of spring, as he often begins 

 to utter his song as early as January, at which time no other 

 wild bird is heard in its native element, excepting, perhaps, 

 the Robin ; but the latter commences to sing in the late 

 autumn, or early winter months, and continues his thrilling, 

 doleful melody, far into spring. In the early bright spring 

 mornings, the voice of the Merle may be heard, clear and 

 resonant, long before any other birds commence to sing ; and 

 on still, calm nights, his sonorous melody is to be heard 

 for hours after most of the feathered tribe have gone to 

 roost. 



The Blackbird is, naturally, of a shy and retiring disposition, 

 and loves to be alone. It is seldom one sees more than two 

 in company, excepting during the pairing season, or when a 

 garden or grass plot has been newly turned over ; then they 

 occasionally gather together, in search of cockchafers and 

 worms. They are fond of a little ripe fruit occasionally, such 

 as cherries and currants, but they rarely attack fruit trees 

 if there are plenty of cockchafers, worms, and grubs to be 

 found. 



It can truthfully be asserted, that these birds well earn 

 the few stray berries with which they sometimes regale 

 themselves, for they are most industrious in the pursuit of 

 grubs and insects ; and, what is more, they often drive away 

 from gardens that unblushing marauder, the House Sparrow, 

 whose pilfering propensities, and love of fruit, are as widely 

 known as the bird itself. 



Blackbirds are best kept in cages, as they are inclined to 



