THE THRUSHES. 63 
‘breeds in the spring, near water, making a large open 
nest of roots and moss in a crevice in rocks or other 
similar place, sometimes even under a waterfall. Three 
to five eggs are laid, pale grey or green, with pink and 
‘brown specklings. 
It has a very beautiful whistling song, which it 
begins very early in the morning. The habits of the 
Burmese race seem to be similar, as might be expected. 
This bird may occasionally, though rarely, be obtained 
in Calcutta, and makes a very nice pet. In an aviary 
it must only be associated with birds of its own size, as 
it is somewhat carnivorous in its tastes and very danger- 
ous to small birds. Care should be taken to give it plenty 
of small creatures as food, such as shrimps, snails, and 
cockroaches, and it should have ample facilities for 
bathing. It has a curious trick of frequently expanding 
its tail. As it does not appear to be a fruit-eater, this 
would be a good bird to introduce into countries where 
birds of the Thrush kind are wanting. 
In Southern India a species of blue Whistling Thrush, 
smaller than the present bird, and with a black bill, 
is found (Mytophoneus horsfield:), and is often called 
the ‘* Whistling Schoolboy. ”’ 
Tue Grey-wincep Bracksirpd (Merula boulboul) is 
also called Kastura by the natives, this name being ap- 
parently a general one, applied to several species, includ- 
ing the last whose proper relationships have thus been 
correctly assigned by the natives, often very good 
observers. It will be at once recognized by its close 
resemblance to the familiar Blackbird of Europe, but 
