G2G MR. J. H. GUUXKY, JUN., ON THE 'JTlUUiill TRIBE IN ENGLAND. 
did when he speaks of “ The Woozel” which “ hath a golden bill,” 
for in an old cock it is quite yellow, and contrasts splendidly with 
the plumage. 
8o many may be sometimes turned out of a small plantation or 
a field of swede turnips or mangolds, that I look upon the Blackbird 
as a gregarious bird in Norfolk in autumn. It is one of the hardiest 
of its tribe, and will often brave the rigours of winter when Field- 
fares and Kedwings are dying : but Thompson gives an instance of 
its succumbing at last.^ Many observers have testihed that they 
have the Thrush’s habit of dashing snails against a stone ; but Blyth 
thought they did not properly understand the process, as he found 
them make a bungle of it when caged and this method of 
obtaining food is undoubtedly far more characteristic of the Song 
Thrush, though it may be occasionally iiractised by all of the tribe. 
In captivity they will eat the naked slug,'* which is much more 
remarkable, as few birds will touch such a slimy morsel. The 
Blackbird is common in Algeria, and a few visit Egypt in winter. 
Mr. Worthington shot three there ; but I never met with it, except 
two in cages, and will not be sure that they had not been imported. 
No birds seem to be so often pied with white as Blackbirds, and 
this lack of colour is oftenest about the head. I had a jhed one in 
my garden near Cromer for three years, but it migrated every 
winter, and at last left us never to return, much to my regret, as it 
would occasionally come up to the dining-room U'indow to be fed. 
It got decidedly more pied as it became older, and when la.st seen 
was about two-thirds Avhite. A really pure white Blackbird is 
a rarity, but Avhite Blackbirds are not invariably albinos. Mr. 
T. E. Gunn had a white one with pinkish legs and toes, and yet it 
was not a true albino, because the beak and eyes Averc of the 
normal colour. The converse is still rarer, viz., a variety with pink 
eyes and yet Avith plumage not pure Avhite : such a Blackbird Avas 
obtained at Newdigate, near Beigate, in August, 1888, and I had the 
pleasure of seeing it. The pattern of the breast-spots Avas plainly' 
visible in bull’. Males are oftener pied than females. 
’ ‘ Ihrds of Ireland,’ a'oI. i. p. ] 47. 
- ‘ Mnt^azine of Natural History,’ 1834, p. 243. 
** ‘ Field,’ May 21st, 1881. 
^ ‘ Zoologist,’ 1870, p. 4787. 
