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his hands, illustrating the text with original drawings, my 

 remarks respecting these birds will be concise and of necessity 

 brief, for Dr. Walker has had a better chance of studying them 

 under more favourable conditions than myself, and therefore his 

 notes will furnish much more information respecting them. 



Dr. Walker had had the Thrushes in his possession for some 

 time (and their condition upon reaching me spoke highly of the 

 care and attention devoted upon them) but did not know of what 

 genus or species they were. Upon their arrival the birds were 

 turned into a large cage (really a small aviary) and by their 

 action of digging amongst some dirt placed in a box in a 

 corner of the cage, I judged they were a species of ground birds, 

 and from the likeness of their laugh to that of my Black-throated 

 Laughing Thrush, I formed the opinion they belonged to the 

 tribe of Ground Thrushes. I wrote Dr. Walker telling him my 

 opinion, and my theory was ultimately confirmed by our esteemed 

 Editor, who found them to be White-spotted Laughing Thrushes. 

 As aviary birds none better could be desired, for they are 

 graceful flyers, moving swiftly yet silently with apparently the 

 minimum amount of exertion. Frugal in their wants, partaking 

 freely of seeds, principally hemp, in addition to soft food and 

 very fond of a banana they are easily catered for, their menu 

 being one which would be supplied daily to a mixed collection. 

 And there need be no hesitation in placing them amongst other 

 birds for up to the present they appear of an affable disposition, 

 quiet and contented and in no way disposed to bully their 

 smaller brethren. Indeed it only needs song to make them the 

 perfect bird, and I have not as yet had them long enough to say 

 whether they are good songsters or not. One thing however 

 they do possess towards it and that is a beautiful long clear call 

 note intensely musical and very pleasing to the ear, and their 

 quaint laugh, which is really a laugh, is in no way objectionable. 

 The male bird has also a low cooing call to his mate when 

 absent from her side. Devoted one to another, seldom separate, 

 if it were not for causing confusion they could well be described 

 as Lovebirds, their leisure time being passed apparently in love- 

 making, for that is what it seems to be ; they nestle as close as 

 possible upon the perch and so great is the fervour displayed 

 that at times it is a job for them to keep their equilibrium. 



