Perching Birds. 



67 



THE SIBERIAN 

 GROUND-THRUSH 



(Gcocichla sibirica.) 



As its name implies this is an mhabitant of Siberia, where 

 it breeds in the valle3's of the Lena and Yenesei Rivers. A 

 specimen in the British Museum was presented by Mr. 

 Frederic Bond, and was said to have been killed in Surrey, 

 near Guildford. A second occurrence in the Isle of Wight has also been surmised, 

 and as the species migrates from its Siberian home as far as the Malayan countries, 

 and has occurred in many places on the continent of Europe, there is nothing to be 

 wondered at in its occasional capture in England. 



In Siberia it is a very shy bird during the breeding season, and, though not 

 uncommon, it is a very difficult species to observe, as it keeps to the woods and 

 searches for food upon the ground among the dead leaves. Mr. H. L. Popham 

 noticed this Thrush, remarkable for its dark grey colour and conspicuous white 



eyebrow, during his expedition 

 to the Yenesei, and sa^-s that it 

 was often heard to make a few 

 rich notes from the top of a tree, 

 but was extremely wary. The 

 s, which he found in the 

 Yenesei valley, were pale blue, 

 with distinct spots of reddish- 

 brown. 



—White's Thrush. 2 — The Bl.^ck-throated Ouzkl (p. 6g). 3 — The Rock Thrush {/). 75.) 

 4— The Gold-vented Bulbul (f>. S3). 5— The Siherian Thrush. 6— The .'Nmerican Robin (f>. 72). 



