The Blackbird. 22 
morning and evening it may be heard in retired places. 
When taking our country rambles in or near some 
wood, or when walking near some pond thickly 
bounded by high hawthorns, the full note of the 
Blackbird falls on our ear: the song of the female is 
different to that of the male, not being nearly so good. 
The male bird during the first year resembles the 
female in plumage, but the following spring he is in 
his best clothes. This is a solitary bird, never going 
in flocks ; it frequents woods, bushes, and thick hedge- 
rows, selecting a spot in one of these places for its 
nest. In early spring, plantations of holly, young 
- pines, and firs are very favourite places for the first 
brood. Its nest is made of mud and rough grass, lined 
with fine dried grass ; the distance from the ground is 
generally only a few feet. The usual number of eggs 
laid by this bird is four or five. The young remain 
Witetw@ermest until they are fledged. - The Blackbird 
feeds on worms, grubs, and insects, and is very partial 
to ripe cherries and sooseberries ; at thie time or the 
year when these fruits are ripe it is a great glutton; 
in the winter, when snow is on the ground, if a few 
apples are allowed to remain under some evergreens, 
this bird will be sure to find them, and will peck the 
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