Animals and Poisonous Plants

Abstract

WITH reference to Mr. Bennett's inquiry as to the consumption of poisonous berries by birds, I remember a young blackbird, some years back, who used to frequent the garden of the house in which I was staying, and who eagerly swallowed the berries of the Daphne mezereum. He was rather tame and would take them when I threw them to him, following them as they rolled along the ground, as a chicken would go after peas. I see that Sowerby confirms the ordinary opinion as to the poisonous nature of these berries: “The whole plant is a powerful irritant, both bark, leaves and fruit acting poisonously if taken in large quantities. A few of the berries have been known to cause death when swallowed.” The blackbird did not seem the worse for them.