The Pied Rock-Thrush.



3ii



had ordered a large supply of cleaned maggots at the port of

embarkation, and these maggots lasted throughout the voyage.


I have given my six Phalaropes to members of the Society

far more skilled than myself in the management of aquatic birds,

and I sincerely hope the birds will flourish, as more charmingly

active, vivacious little fellows I have never seen.


Personally I am disposed to think that, given fair con¬

ditions, with some rough grass and a little pool of water, the

Red-necked Plialaropeshould readily breed in captivity; perhaps

it has already done so. It is, above all things, a water-loving

bird and well merits the name of “ swimming-cock.”


I may mention that, according to my observation, Phala¬

ropes in their native haunts are by no means close sitters on the

nest, and often leave the eggs long before you get near, so the

nests are not easy to find. On the other hand, the old birds are

most devoted to their chicks, and will not leave them far if

danger threatens.


The Grey Plialarope, as far as I can ascertain, is very

scarce indeed in the north of Iceland.



THE PIED ROCK-THRUSH.


Monticola saxatilis.


(Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. V., p. 313.)


By Reginald Phillipps.


(Continued f ront page 2S6).


Although only a summer visitor to Europe, this cannot be

described as a delicate species. When in perfect health, in a

good-sized aviary, it does not appear to mind any ordinary cold,

presupposing of course that there are suitable shelters ; but there

is nothing to be gained by unnecessarily exposing it. On the

other hand, I question its being as hardy as is usually alleged.

Why does the wild bird select such sunny climes for its habita¬

tion if it is really hardy ? Why keeps it not to the same latitudes

as the Fieldfare and the Redwing, or even as our own Song

Thrush? Why do my fledgelings rush after every gleam of sun,

of which so little has appeared since they have been in the



