284 BRITISH BIRDS. 
and, more rarely, in holes in houses and in trees and stumps. Vineyard- 
walls, holes in mountain-fortresses, and amongst the débris carried down 
the mountain-sides by the melting of the snow, may be also cited as places 
frequently selected by this bird for its nest. Wherever it is found, how- 
ever, it is usually well concealed from view, and always in a hole. The 
bare ground will not unfrequently be chosen, under a bush, or even under 
a dense overhanging grass-tuft. The nesting-season commences in the 
latter end of April or beginning of May. ‘The nest is very different in 
construction from the nests of the true Thrushes, and, as is the case with all 
hole-building birds, somewhat loosely made. The materials of different 
nests also vary to a great extent, according to the locality in which they 
are found. Nests in the more cultivated districts are made of roots, fine 
and coarse grasses, moss and bents, and lined with hair and feathers. 
Those taken from more isolated places, the rocky districts high up moun- 
tain-sides, are similar in outward construction, rarely lined with hair or 
feathers, but with fine rootlets and dry grass. Other nests will sometimes 
be found constructed entirely of roots and withered grass. In examining 
the nest of this bird, its close resemblance to that of the Redstart or the 
Wheatear will be noticed. No mud is found in them; they are loosely 
put together; and this circumstance, coupled with the covered site and 
the colour of the eggs, still further suggests the bird’s nearer affinity to 
the Chats than to the true Thrushes. The eggs of the Rock-Thrush are 
four or five in number, of the same beautiful bluish green as those of the 
Song-Thrush, but slightly paler and rounder; indeed they are almost 
intermediate between a Song-Thrush’s and a Starling’s. The markings 
are confined to a very few faint light-brown specks, usually on the larger 
end; but the eggs are very often spotless. In the same clutch these pecu- 
liarities may be noticed; for sometimes one egg will be faintly marked 
and the rest spotless. They vary in length from 1:05 to 0°95 inch, and in 
breadth from ‘82 to *7 inch. Like most hole-building birds, the Rock- 
Thrush is a very close sitter ; and the showily-dressed male assists in incu- 
bating the eggs. The young birds are fed by both parents, and are tended 
for some little time after they leave the nest. They are fed on insects, 
larvie, spiders, and grubs. The Rock-Thrush is said to rear two broods 
in the year. When the nest is approached, especially should it contain 
young birds, the old birds become very anxious, and exhibit signs of the 
greatest distress for their helpless offspring. 
The male Rock-Thrush is a very handsome bird. Its head, neck, and 
throat are cobalt-blue, shading into bluish black on the upper back, wing- 
coverts, and rump; the wings are brown. In the centre of the back is a 
nearly pure white patch, a few of the feathers being tipped with grey. 
Except the throat, the entire under surface is rich chestnut, including the 
tail, the two centre feathers of which are darker than the rest. Bill, legs, 
