I/O BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



South and Western India, from the summit of the Neil- 

 gherries to the sea level is the habitat of this species, 

 especially along the banks of mountain torrents, where it 

 can find an abundance of suitable food, worms, molluscs, 

 insects, etc. 



The nest is placed on a shelf of rock, and is made of 

 roots, moss, grass, etc., cemented with earth. The eggs are 

 usually three in number, of a reddish fawn colour, spotted 

 with many dots of a brown tinge. 



This species also bears confinement very well. 



Indian Dyal Bird. — This bird, locally known as the 

 magpie robin, is found in all the southern parts of India, as 

 well as in China and the Philippines, but is seldom seen in 

 England ; it is, nevertheless, readily acclimatised, and has 

 bred in the western aviary of the Zoological Society in 

 Regent's Park, London, in 1S73. The general colour is 

 black, with a blue metallic gloi^s ; on the wings are white 

 lines, and all the under parts are the same colour. The 

 bill is black, the eyes hazel, and the feet and legs brown. 

 The female is dull black above, throat ^rey, belly white, 

 and the sides dull brownish grey. 



In size it equals the English song-thrush, or 8^ inches, 

 3fV of which belong to the tail. 



It is found all over India in wooded places. The food 

 consists of insects. The nest is built in thick bushes, and 

 the four eggs are bluish white, with pale brown spots and 

 blotches. Lives well in a cage. 



Seychellean Dyal Bird. — Bears much resemblance to 

 tlie last. The plumage is black, with a glossy blue re- 

 flection, and white bands on the wings. It has been re- 

 presented in the Gardens of the London Zoological Society. 



Like the magpie robin, which it closely resembles, it is 

 much esteemed in India as a song bird, and is frequently 

 caged, doing as well in confinement as its congener, and it 



