COURAGE OF THE BLACKBIRD. 
early spring, and his song is continued far into the year, till 
the time of moulting.” 
A most remarkable trait in the blackbird is liis exceeding 
fondness of damp weather ; and its silence during very hot and i 
dr}’ seasons has been noted by Jenyns, who says : — “ During 
the fine and very dry weather which prevailed over a great 
part of June, 1844, the blackbirds hardly sang at all ; but when 
the rain came in the last week of that month, they resumed, 
and continued to be heard until after the middle of the month 
following. July was hotter even than June, but then there 
was much more wet : this it was that seemed to make the dif- 
ference. I also once noticed, quite late in the summer, and when 
no blackbirds had been heard for some time previous, that one 
evening, after the occurrence of a violent thunderstorm, several 
were heard singing, but for that evening only. The atmo- 
sphere at the time was calm, and the air mild, but extremely 
damp.” 
The blackbird usually builds its nest in some thick bush, — 
the holly -tree is much affected by this bird for that purpose. 
It builds a tolerably large nest, cup-shaped, and composed of 
grass, roots, and stems externally, coated inside with a layer of 
mud, and the whole lined with fine grass. It lays five eggs, 
which are of a light blue colour, sprinkled with brown of 
various shades. There is sometimes, however, so little differ- 
ence between the eggs of the blackbird and those of the thrush, 
that the most accomplished ornithologist would be puzzled to 
decide on their respective origin. 
This bird is very courageous in defence of its home and 
family, and, totally regardless of the size and strength of the 
depredator, will always attack any animal that ventures too 
close to the sacred spot. A wonderful proof of its temerity is 
related by Jesse, a naturalist whose authority cannot be 
questioned : — “ A cat was observed on the top of a paled fence, 
endeavouring to get at a blackbird’s nest, which was near it ; 
the hen left her nest on her approach, and flew to meet her in 
a state of great alarm, and placed herself almost within her 
reach, uttering the most piteous screams of wildness and 
despair. The cock-bird, on perceiving the danger, showed the 
greatest distress, and uttered loud screams and outcries, some- 
times settling on the fence, just before the cat, who was unable 
to make a spring in consequence of the narrowness of its 
footing. After a little time, the cock-bird flew at the cat, 
settled on her back, and pecked her head with so much violence 
r, 81 
