SIBERIAN THRUSH— BLACKBIRD, 7 
\Turdus sibiricus. Siberian Thrush. 
A very rare accidental visitor. 
Mr. Howard Saunders, in his Manual, says : " I fully 
believe that one was picked up exhausted at Bonchurch, in 
the Isle of Wight, in the winter of 1874, but the evidence 
is not sufficient to warrant the introduction of this species 
into the British list." 
It is a native of Eastern Asia, but has occurred in 
France and Belgium.] 
6. Turdtts merula. Blackbird. 
" Oh, blackbird, sing me something well ; 
While all the neighbours shoot thee round, 
I keep smooth plats of fruitful ground 
Where thou may'st warble, eat, and dwell." 
" The Blackbird^ — Tennyson. 
A very common resident in all parts of the county and 
Isle of Wight. 
The increase in the numbers of this species of late 
years is nearly as noticeable as that of the song thrush ; 
for they also seem to be so numerous as to be unable to 
find sufficient normal nesting-places, frequently choosing 
the ground, ledges in sheds, and other unusual situations 
for their nests. 
Charles Kingsley thus describes the song in his " Charm 
of Birds " : " From the hollies rings out the blackbird's 
tenor, rollicking, audacious, humorous, all but articulate." 
Dr. Cowper has observed a remarkable number of pied 
specimens on the east side of the island, but not a single 
albino. 
