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BLACKBIRD.

Turis well-known bird is a very common species in
this country, and is highly esteemed on account of its
song, which, however, is by no means equal to that of
the thrush. Its outward appearance is indeed singularly
plain and unpretending, but we may hence learn that
good qualities are to be much more highly valued than
a showy exterior.

The length of the blackbird is about ten inches; the
entire plumage of the male is a shining black, the
eyelids being bright orange-colonr, and the bill of a
like cotour; the legs and toes brown, and the claws
dusky. ‘The hen bird has very little resemblance in
colour to the male. The feathers of all the upper part
are of a dusky olive brown, palest on the forehead and
the sides of the neck, and darkest over the tail. The
outer webs of the quill and tail feathers are edged with
ash-coloured brown, with lighter streaks along the shafts.
The chin is greyish white, shaded into brown rust-colour
on the upper part of the breast, the lower part being
dark ash-colour. The bill is dark brown, the edges being
yellowish brown, and the eyelids yellow.

This species is common also throughout the greater
part of Europe and Asia; as far to the north as Norway,
und towards the south as Syria. The food of the
blackbird varies according to the season of the year,
In spring and summer they eat both insects and fruits,
and in the autumn and winter they chiefly subsist on
berries, together with such insects or their larvae as, in
fewer numbers, they may then be able to obtain.