BLACKBIRD. 
199 
individuals of the same species, which were directing their 
eyes towards a circumscribed spot in a thick hush, and on 
approaching to examine what could be the cause of so much 
clamour, the presence of a cat was discovered. The sly 
creature had evidently been endeavouring to escape observation, 
and was therefore not a little annoyed at being thus made 
the ‘observed of all observers.’ But the birds were determined 
that the whole neighbourhood should know of the presence of 
the intruder; instead of flying off they continued their 
vociferations, and peace was not restored till she had been 
compelled to retreat.’ 
Its flight is quick and hurried, hasty and precipitate, as 
if, for some reason or other, it were conscious that conceal¬ 
ment suited it best; even if alarmed, it generally only flits 
along for a little distance, and then turns in again to its 
cover. If its flight be at all extended, it is even and steady, 
but its short flittings are, as just mentioned, fitful, undulated, 
and capricious, and in the season of incubation a series of 
starts, a single flap of the wings, and a consequent bound. 
When perched on a branch, it bends forward, raises or lowers 
its tail, now and then flaps its wings, then perhaps sings, 
and then flies to another tree or a wall, there to perform the 
like evolutions. Often, if it thinks that it shall be passed by 
without notice, it skulks about under cover, with the stealthy 
tread of a Blackfeet or Crow Indian, but the dry and fallen 
autumnal leaves betray the presence of the cautious bird, in 
the coppice or wood through which you pass, and the 
rustling sound of its footfall almost startles you in your 
lonely walk, perhaps many a mile yet from home, as you 
return from some out-lying village or distant solitary house. 
The wind sighs among the trees, a prelude to the storm of 
the dark night that is fast closing in around you, and the 
daylight is but scant, but if you look closely, you will 
catch the glance of a black eye, shy of observation, and 
wistfully expressing the desire of its owner to be left to 
itself. 
In the spring, summer, and autumn, the Blackbird feeds 
on moths, beetles, and other insects and their larvae, worms, 
snails, fruits, and seeds, such as cherries, currants, blackberries, 
gooseberries, peas, and pears, the place of the latter being 
supplied in winter by wheat, oats, and other grain and seeds, 
and the berries of the hawthorn, the mountain ash, the holly, 
and others. It sometimes does some damage by pulling up 
