The Blackbihd forms its nest of moss and fibres, and 
plasters the inside with earth, so as to be water tight, the 
inside is lined with moss and other soft substances ; it is 
sometimes placed in a holly bush or among evergreens, at 
others on a low bush, oi* against a tree or stump : the eggs 
are four or five, of a light bluish green, marked with pale 
ryifous spots and streaks : it breeds early, sometimes as soon 
as the second week in March. 
It feeds on worms, insects, fruit, seeds, berries, and snails, 
it breaks the shells of the latter against a stone to get at the 
contents, and usually has some favourite place for this pur- 
pose. They are easily rendered tame, and will learn to 
imitate other birds, or to pipe in the manner of the Bulfinch. 
The female rather exceeds in size, and is of a duskj 
brown, as are the young males till the second year, and 
they do not acquire the bright yellow colour on the bill and 
eyelids till after the second moult. 
