156 On the Blue Thrush and Hangnest.


THE BLUE THRUSH AND HANGNEST.


By Helen Atherley.


The Blue Thrush and the Hangnest have been the subject

of many articles in the Avicultural Magazine, but I think they

are both such interesting birds that still more may be written

about them, as, though they both are birds with the very strong

characteristic ways and manners of their kind, they are also

both birds with many individual traits.


I am the happy possessor of both—but I must not say

“possessor,” for alas! “ Blue” is only with me temporarily, and

his real owner may ask for his return at any moment—this I

earnestly hope may never happen, for Blue is one of the most

interesting birds I have ever had. His temper is not all that it

ought to be, he is a born fighter and no sooner is he out of his

cage than he “ goes for me ” with all the ardour of his undaunted

spirit. If 011 the floor he attacks my feet, if on a table or sofa he

flies straight at my hands and merciless are his pecks, but his

attacks look worse than they really are, and after a few moments

he will settle down. His favourite perching place is on the

fender, where he spreads his lovely wings, cocks his head on

one side, ruffles up all his feathers and enjoys the warmth of the

fire on his back. He will also fly to the top of the fireguard

(made especially large for the purpose) aud there he will sit,

crouched down, until he is so hot he has perforce to go. I

cannot think it is very good for him, but he so enjoys the warmth

I have never the heart to remove him.


He is terribly jealous of Billy, the Hangnest, and when

they are both out in the room together I have constantly to be

on the watch in case a serious attack on Blue’s part should ensue,

but Billy is above fighting and takes but little notice of Blue.

This is quite at variance with what other people have written of

their Hangnests, so that I take it Billy is of a better disposition

than most of his kind, as it certainly is not from want of courage

on his part, he is boldness itself with my dogs, though I must

confess a strange dog coming into the room upsets him greatly.

Billy’s great idea of happiness is to get into the pocket of my

jacket, or inside the jacket, where he nestles down under my

arm, and will stay there for hours whilst I am reading.



