THE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD. 
71 
DESCRIPTION. 
The European blackbird is about the size of the song thrush, 
nine inches and a half long, of which the tail comprises four 
inches. The beak is one inch long, and of a golden-yellow ; 
the irides dark-brown; the feet black, and fourteen lines high. 
The male is entirely of a deep-black; the female black-brown, 
rusty-colored on the breast, and with an ash-colored tinge 
upon the abdomen; the throat, spotted with light and dark- 
brown ; the beak and the feet, black-brown, appearing also to 
be rather larger and heavier, and hence it has sometimes been 
considered a distinct species. 
FOOD AND MANAGEMENT. 
When wild, the blackbird, like other species of thrush, 
feeds on all kinds of e&ible berries, such as the elder, 
cherry, and mountain ash; and when this food is not abund¬ 
ant, it satisfies itself with the tips of the white thorn. At this 
time, it often seeks (for insects near the vicinity of warm 
springs. 
In confinement, these birds are content with the first kind of 
universal paste, described at page 13, but will also eat bread, 
meat, and most kinds of food that comes to table. The young, 
which must be taken from the nest when their quills have 
but just sprung, can be reared upon roll steeped in milk. 
The blackbird should be kept in a large cage, for it is not 
prudent to allow it to associate with other birds, as either 
through covetousness or caprice, it will attack the smaller 
kinds, and even peck them to death. Like all the allied 
species, this bird is fond of frequent bathing, and consequently 
should be amply supplied with the means. In captivity, 
he will live from twelve to fifteen years, especially if his 
food be varied. 
