THE ROCK THRUSH AND THE BABBLERS. 8 1 



customs, and you will never understand birds unless 

 you note them. The first species of Thrush that 

 we have to notice is the Rock Thrush (Petrocossyphus 

 cyaneus in Jerdon), so called because its custom is 

 to live about rocks. Gardens and groves have no 

 attraction for it ; fields and meadows are positively 

 repulsive. But on the seashore you will find it, 

 sitting on the rocks, quite happy in its own way. 

 In the Deccan, but not in Bombay, it comes about 

 houses and may often be seen perched on the ridge 

 of the roof. Somebody has made the suggestion that 

 it may be the " sparrow " of Scripture, which sitteth 

 alone on the housetop. Sometimes, in sultry weather, 

 it comes in and sits among the rafters, fancying it 

 is in a rocky cave. It is a solitary and silent bird, as 

 we know it ; but in April, when the prospect of going 

 home begins to make its spirits gay, it will suddenly 

 break out into a charming song. I forgot to say that 

 the Rock Thrush is about the size of a starling and 

 of a uniform, dark, indigo-blue colour. It is not by 

 any means uncommon in Bombay. 



Next come the Babbling Thrushes, which spend 

 much of their time on the ground and rummage 

 among fallen leaves. We are not accustomed to 

 speak of Autumn in India, but there is a time of year 

 in this country, as much as in any other, when each 

 tree puts off its old clothes and gets a new suit. The 

 only difference is that tropical trees for the most part 

 manage the matter more decently than those of cold 

 countries. They do not strip themselves before the 

 new suit is ready and stand naked till it arrives. 

 They undress and dress at the same time, as respect- 

 able people do. In this transaction avaricious Mother 



