BRITISH BIRDS. 
95 
low bill, and other diftinguifhing marks of their 
kind. The Blackbird is a folitary bird, frequent- 
ing woods and thickets, chiefly of evergreens, 
fuch as pines, firs, &c. efpecially where there are 
perennial fprings, which afford it both Ihelter and 
fubfiftence. Wild Blackbirds feed on berries, 
fruits, infe&s, and worms ; they never fly in 
flocks like Thruflies ; they pair early, and be- 
gin to warble fooner than any other of the fong- 
fters of the grove. The female builds her neft in 
bufhes or low trees, and lays four or five eggs, of 
a blueifh green colour, marked irregularly with 
dulky fpots. The young birds are eafily brought 
up tame, and may be taught to whifile a variety of 
tunes, for which their clear, loud, and fpirited tones 
are well adapted. They are reftlefs and timorous 
birds, eafily alarmed, and difficult of accefs ; but 
Buffon obferves that they are more reftlefs than 
cunning, and more timorous than fufpicious, as 
they readily fuffer themfelves to be caught with 
bird-lime, noofes, and all forts of fnares. They 
are never kept in aviaries ; for when (hut up with 
other birds they purfue and harafs their compa- 
nions in flavery unceafingly, for which reafon they 
are generally confined in cages apart. In fome 
counties of England this bird is called the Ouzel. 
