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    "source_title": "Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911)",
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    "chunk_id": "1911:blackberry:072599b1a93d",
    "title": "BLACKBERRY",
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    "verified_text": "blackberry, or bramble, known botanically as _rubus fruticosus_ (natural order rosaceac), a native of the north temperate region of the old world, and abundant in the british isles as a copse and hedge-plant. it is characterized by its prickly stem, leaves with usually three or five ovate, coarsely toothed stalked leaflets, many of which persist through the winter, white or pink flowers in terminal clusters, and black or red-purple fruits, each consisting of numerous succulent drupels crowded on a dry conical receptacle. it is a most variable plant, exhibiting many more or less distinct forms which are regarded by different authorities as sub-species or species. in america several forms of the native blackberry, _rubus nigrobaccus_ (formerly known as _r. villosus_), are widely cultivated; it is described as one of the most important and profitable of bush-fruits. for details see f.w. card in l.h. bailey's _cyclopedia of american horticulture_ (1900). blackbird (_turdus merula_), the name commonly given to a well-known british bird of the _turdidae_ family, for which the ancient name was ousel (q.v.), anglo-saxon _osle_, equivalent of the german _amsel_, a form of the word found in several old english books. the plumage of the male is of a uniform black colour, that of the female various shades of brown, while the bill of the male, especially during the breeding season, is of a bright gamboge yellow. the blackbird is of a shy and restless disposition, courting concealment, and rarely seen in flocks, or otherwise than singly or in pairs, and taking flight when startled with a sharp shrill cry. it builds its nest in march, or early in april, in thick bushes or in ivy-clad trees, and usually rears at least two broods each season. the nest is a neat structure of coarse grass and moss, mixed with earth, and plastered internally with mud, and here the female lays from four to six eggs of a blue colour speckled with brown. the blackbird feeds chiefly on fruits, worms, the larvae of insects and snails, extracting the last from their shells by dexterously chipping them on stones; and though it is generally regarded as an enemy of the garden, it is probable that the amount of damage by it to the fruit is largely compensated for by its undoubted services as a vermin-killer. the notes of the blackbird are rich and full, but monotonous as compared with those of the song-thrush. like many other singing birds it is, in the wild state, a mocking-bird, having been heard to imitate the song of the nightingale, the crowing of a cock, and even the cackling of a hen. in confinement it can be taught to whistle a variety of tunes, and even to imitate the human voice. the blackbird is found in every country of europe, even breeding--although rarely--beyond the arctic circle, and in eastern asia as well as in north africa and the atlantic islands. in most parts of its range it is migratory, and in britain every autumn its numbers receive considerable accession from passing visitors. allied species inhabit most parts of the world, excepting africa south of the sahara, new zealand and australia proper, and north america. in some of these the legs as well as the bill are yellow or orange; and in a few both sexes are glossy black. the ring-ousel, _turdus torquatus_, has a dark bill and conspicuous white gorget, whence its name. it is rarer and more local than the common blackbird, and occurs in england only as a temporary spring and autumn visitor. black buck (_antilope cervicapra_), the indian antelope, the sole species of its genus. this antelope, widely distributed in india, with the exception of ceylon and the region east of the bay of bengal, stands about 32 in. high at the shoulder; the general hue is brown deepening with age to black; chest, belly and inner sides of limbs pure white, as are the muzzle and chin, and an area round the eyes. the horns are long, ringed, and form spirals with from three to five turns. the doe is smaller in size, yellowish-fawn above, and this hue obtains also in young males. these antelopes frequent grassy districts and are usually found in herds. coursing black-buck with the cheeta (q.v.) is a favourite indian sport.",
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