On some beautiful Insectivorous Birds from the Himalayas. 277


would naturally follow and then the Coi'vidce. Of course all

linear classification must be more or less unnatural, so the

systematist has to do his best, and place perplexing forms as near

to their apparent allies as possible.



SOME BEAUTIFUL INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS

FROM THE HIMALAYAS.


By Hubert D. Astley, M.A., F.Z S.


In May of this year, Captain Perreau brought me some

interesting and rarely imported birds, which he had caught in

India amongst the hills.


I.—The Beue-headed Rock Thrush (Petrocincla cinclorhyncha')

may perhaps head the list as the brightest in colouring. Smaller

than the European Rock Thrush (JP. saxatilis') he is also more

brilliant.


The top of the head, occiput, throat and shoulders, are a

beautiful lazuline blue ; the cheeks and back, black ; the wings

blackish with a broad white patch across the secondaries. The

tail black, with a bloom of the same blue as on the head ; the

breast and the whole of the underparts, the rump and tail-coverts,

are full bright rufous : the beak is black, the legs brown.


When the bird is facing one, his colouring is not unlike

that of an English Kingfisher.


My bird is timid in his cage, and yet he will readily take a

mealworm from my fingers, even when I put my whole hand in ;

and when let loose in the bird room he is fairly bold.


Once I heard him utter a few notes, the part of his song,

sounding somewhat like those of a European Rock Thrush.


One day he escaped and was not to be seen for eight hours,

when quite by chance, whilst walking in the garden, I spied him

amongst some Rhododendron bushes. Fortunately his powers

of flight were not great, as his feathers were considerably worn

after his long voyage from India; and it was not long before,

and with the help of a mealworm, I decoyed him into his cage,

which he seemed pleased once more to occupy.


He had evidently been searching for food, for his bill was



