on the Pied Rock-Thrush.



285



The display of some of the males is very fine, while that

of others scarcely attracts attention. The bird, with feathers all

ruffled out, will pursue the female slowly, uttering a chirping

cry ; at one time he will dash after her vigorously ; and then, on

a perch just below her, with head down and greatly extended,

with wings and tail (especially the latter) expanded, shewing off

the full colours of the tail and head contrasted with the pure

white of the back and dorsal scapulars, he will make love for

some minutes. I think it is Mr. Astley who tells of a solitary

male that used to come and display to him.


These birds go to roost at a late hour, especially when

winged insects are about, after which they will hawk until

nothing of them can be seen but the male’s white back.


When a shy male in colour desires to escape observation,

he “ points” at one in just the same manner as 1 lie Pitta (O.S.,

VIII., p. 25S).


Examples differ, but some of these Rock-Thrushes become

exceedingly tame, and will fly on to one’s hand, head, or shoulder

without hesitation. My present female, with outstretched wings,

will scur-r-r and rush at and peck my hands if I do not bring her

what she wants ; and when I enter the aviary with cockroach

traps she is all about me, and I have to exercise care lest I should

injure her. When the time came that the male turned upon her,

and tried to kill her, and hunted her so that she could not feed, I

used to place a dish of food on the ground between my straddled

legs and literally stand over her while she fed, and finally carried

her into the adjoining aviary perched on the edge of a food-

saucer.


I do not know any bird that is so watchful and sharp of

sight as the male of this species when he has young. He is one

of the few birds which can see a person at a distance through the

glass of a window even when one stands well back. The 1899

father (see below) was the most difficult to watch. With a meal¬

worm in his bill, he would wait motionless for any time rather

than carry it to the nest while any one could be seen. The male

of this year seemed to think I was hardly worth taking into

account, and watched rather the occupants of my neighbours’

gardens, which interfered no little with the carrying of food to



