BLACKBIBD. 
197 
cultivated in preference to the more wild parts of the country, 
and in winter it draws nearer to the neighbourhood of houses 
and towns, according to the state of the weather, hut generally 
keeps beneath the sheltering protection of trees, hedges, or 
bushes, among which it hops with singular celerity if pursued, 
its presence being often only known on hearing its note of 
alarm. 
About the beginning of November, very large flocks arrive 
on the north-eastern coasts from more northern countries, and, 
after recruiting their strength for a few days, wing their way 
to the south and west. 
In its habits it is restless, shy, and vigilant, and if alarmed 
or disturbed, either lies close till the danger is past, or sud¬ 
den 1 y takes wing with a vociferous chattering cry; if in the 
breeding-season, its partner soon shares its flight. It is most 
seen in the morning and evening, following its avocations in 
a more retired manner in the middle of the day. It is rather 
of a pugnacious disposition, and especially jealous in the spring 
of the approach of others to the spot selected for its nest. 
It is easily kept in confinement, but is fond of attacking and 
teasing its companions, if placed in an aviary in company 
with other birds. The male and female are frequently seen 
together in winter, it is believed that, at all events in many 
instances, they pair for life; the members of the family do 
not keep together long after the young are able to fly, and 
though three or four Blackbirds may often be seen near 
together for a short time in the same locality, it is a mere 
community of object, and none of natural feeling, that has 
brought them into neighbourhood; neither do they consort 
with other species. They are very good birds to eat. 
A very young Blackbird, says Mr. Jesse, was put into a 
cage which was hung up under the porch of a lodge: after the 
bird had become reconciled to its confinement, and had begun 
to feed, an older Blackbird was caught and put into the 
same cage. This old bird moped, and refused to feed itself, 
and would probably have died, had not the younger brought 
it food in its bill, and in every respect treated it as if it had 
been its mother, nourishing it with the greatest perseverance 
for some time. Again, 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 the nest on her approach, flew to 
meet her in a state of great alarm, and placed herself almost 
within her reach, uttering the most piteous screams of wildness 
