Interbreeding of Blackbird and Thrush.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 35

Interbreeding of Blackbird and Thrush.

On May 22 I found on the end of a low branch of a fine old yew tree, a nest from which a blackbird rose, and giving its noisy notes of alarm as it flew away. On looking into the nest I was surprised to find it contained two eggs, to all appearance thrush's, as they in no way differ from a typical thrush's egg. The nest is entirely composed of coarse and fine grasses, roots, small twigs, and moss, with only an attempt of a mud lining on one side, and which is almost hidden by the lining made up o£ the other materials of the nest. The tree was in a secluded spot some distance from any thoroughfare, therefore it is not likely the eggs were placed in the nest by anyone. I also found (on May 6) a blackbird's nest with one egg of a clear light blue, without markings. This variety of egg, mentioned by Mr Saunders ("'Manual of British Birds," p. 14), may be the result of a cross between a blackbird and a thrush. I saw a pair of blackbirds, which undoubtedly owned the nest {and spotless egg, and to all appearance were true blackbirds. Probably the nest with the thrush-like eggs may more likely belong to such a cross. — F. W*. Fbohawk. [Several instances of blackbird pairing with thrush have been recorded. See Loudbn's " Magazine of Natural History," Aug. 1834; Thompson's " Natural History of Ireland," vol. iii., p. 456 ; Salvadori, Ibis, 1863, p. 237; "Zoologist," 1883, p. 123; 1884, p. 18(5; 1885, pp. 69, 112.— Ed. Field]