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Mr. R. Philupps,



female; but the ground-colour of the upper parts of the young

male is much bluer, and of the underparts much more chestnut.”


From its habit of wagging its tail up and down, I notice

in an old book that this species is called the Rock Wagtail. This

is a misleading title, as one associates a “ Wagtail ” with a bird

that has a long tail which is always on the go. The tail of our

bird is rather short than long ; and the wag is occasional, and so

far dog-like as to seem to be a wag of intelligence rather than a

merely mechanical action.


The Pied Rock-Thrush is a widely distributed species, and

may be found in open rocky country through southern Europe to

northern China during the breeding season, going southward on

migration to Africa, &c. According to Dixon, it has a moderate

migration flight of 3000—5000 miles.


The song of the male, at any rate of the male in captivity,

is a pleasing little warble but hardly deserving the name of

“song.” At other times than when actually breeding, it will

give utterance to a soft sweet “recording” sort of song, often

whilst squatting in some sheltered corner, very pleasing to listen

to. I have known it “ record ” in this way after sunset, when so

dark that only its white back could be distinguished. The

female will also occasionally record.


Both male and female have a plaintive mournful single

note, which is often heard during the breeding season. An

approach to the nest, the sight of a cat, anything which causes

anxiety will lead to its utterance. This note becomes more and

more frequent and urgent as the young become older. As soon

as the young have left the nest, this note is accompanied and

shortly superseded by a Blackbird—Fieldfare cuck-cuck-c 7 ick note.

O11 one occasion recently, this call was being uttered with such

frequency and vehemence that I went out with the set purpose

of interviewing that cat. But no cat was to be seen, the father

was composedly preening his feathers, mother was not doing

anything in particular, and the young were reposing. But the

mck-cuck was being poured forth more strenuously than ever.

On following the sound up to a sheltered corner, I found that it

proceeded from that exquisite mocker and irrepressible joker the

Regent Bird, whose great delight is to get a rise out of his poor

old dad.



