THE BLACKBIRD. 
canning and suspicions bird, it is very difficult to take him 
when he has attained his full growth, and the fancier has 
consequently the trouble and expense of rearing him from the 
nest. But what is trouble to the dealer is mere healthful 
amusement to the bird-keeper ; and as, if sought for in the 
right spots, blackbirds’ nests are easily procurable, there is 
no reason why a person so inclined should not possess a good 
bird of his own breeding. 
Country folks will need no directions as to where the black- 
bird’s nest is to be found ; but to their city -bred brethren, — 
some of whom, poor fellows, never have seen an egg but in 
company of a spoon and egg-cup, and never a nest at all, — a 
little instruction will not come amiss. Dulwich is a fine place 
for blackbirds ; so are Highgate and Hornsey, so is Epping 
Forest, so is Wimbledon. About the end of the first, or the 
middle of the second week in April is the time to go nesting 
for this bird. Search near the bottoms of close bushes, and 
search diligently, because the nest is built before the bush is in 
leaf, and, by the time the eggs are hatched, the foliage has 
become so dense, as to make it appear impossible that anything 
larger than a mouse is concealed beneath. It is rather difficult 
to distinguish the male from the female nestling ; but you 
cannot do wrong in picking the birds that are smallest, 
blackest, and have the rims of their eyes of the brightest 
yellow. Five or six is the number of fledglings. If five, 
you may almost safely conclude that three are cocks, and 
two hens ; but, if six, probably not more than two will be 
cock -birds. Be careful to keep the nestlings warm, and feed 
them every two hours, from sunrise till sunset, with sop made 
with stale white bread and milk. They are large eaters ; 
but you must not give them at a meal as much as they would 
like. The quantity must be regulated. For four nestlings a 
quarter of a pound of bread (weighed before it is soaked) will 
be enough for a day. It will be best, however, to prepare this 
food twice a day, as, if the victuals are in the least sour, it will 
kill them. 
In places where they abound, the old birds may be snared 
in the winter, when the snow is on the ground, with the robin- 
trap, especially if the board and net are concealed by a sprink- 
ling of snow, and the vicinity of the spring well surrounded 
with hawthorn berries, better known as “ haws.” They may 
likewise be taken by planting hazel twigs thickly together in 
the snow, attaching service berries or haws with pins to the 
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