UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 12b-25



                                            Commission File Number:    811-21286
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                                                        CUSIP  Number: 09255J101




                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):
|_| Form 10-K                     |_| Form 20-F
|_| Form 11-K                     |_| Form 10-Q
|_| Form N-SAR                    |X| Form N-CSR

      For Period Ended:  October 31, 2006
                         -----------------------------------------

     [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
     [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
     [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
     [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
     [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
     [ ] Transition Report on Form N-CSR

      For the Transition Period Ended:____________________________



      Read Attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form.  Please Print or
Type.

      Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.



      If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:________________________



                                     PART I
                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION


 BlackRock Preferred Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
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 Full Name of Registrant

 Preferred Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
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 Former Name if Applicable

 800 Scudders Mill Road
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 Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

 Plainsboro, New Jersey  08536
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 City, State and Zip Code


                                     PART II
                             RULE 12b-25(b) AND (c)


      If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) |X|


            (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;


            (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, or portion thereof will
be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date;
or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion
thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the
prescribed due date; and


            (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.


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                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE


      State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K,
10-Q, N-SAR, N-CSR or the transition report or portion thereof could not be
filed within the prescribed time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)

Additional time is required to prepare a complete and accurate filing. The
Fund's Form N-CSR has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The annual report to shareholders dated October 31, 2006 was mailed to
shareholders within the prescribed time period.


                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION


      (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification.

Neal Andrews               (302) 797-6179
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(Name)                          (Area code)      (Telephone number)

      (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no,
identify report(s).


             |X| Yes                 |_| No


      (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?


             |_| Yes                 |X| No


      If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.


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Date    January 10, 2006      By  /s/ Donald C. Burke
        ---------------------     ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 Donald C. Burke
                                                    Vice President and Treasurer


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