THE THRUSHES 



1651 



generally built in a precipitous position among crags of rock, often close to some 

 mountain waterfall; although the rock thrush sometimes nests in holes in the stone 

 walls that are built to protect the Rhenish vineyards. The nest is composed of fine 

 roots, moss, and dried herbs, and the eggs are pure light blue, without spots. The 

 young are often reared from the nest by hand, especially in the north of Italy, and 

 are much prized as cage birds; the song of the rock thrush being extremely beauti- 

 ful, though not so fine as that of the blue rock thrush, which we incline to place 

 first in the rank of European songsters. Timid and fearful as is the rock thrush in 

 a state of freedom, if reared from the nest it becomes a charming pet, and we have 



ROCK THRUSH. 



(One-half natural size.) 



kept both old and young birds, and found them tame and confiding. Although the 

 rock thrush is a very local and even rare bird in most parts of its range, and does 

 not ordinarily migrate farther north than Central France, stragglers have been iden- 

 tified in Great Britain, as well as in Heligoland. The food of the rock thrush con- 

 sists principally of beetles and other insects, but the bird shares the fondness of its 

 congeners for wild berries and garden fruits. The adult male has the head and 

 neck ashy blue; the scapulars are blackish, slightly washed with blue; the centre of 

 the back is pure white; the tail and upper tail coverts are light red; the entire throat 

 ashy blue; while the rest of the under parts are rufous orange. 



