30



Dr. Maurice Amsler,



the head ; in the adult the nape is crimson and the top of the head

is blackish purple. I can see no markings to distinguish the sex of

the young bird ; in the adult these markings are very conspicuous.


I am pleased to record the appearances of the young of this

species, as I believe that up to now no authentic description has

yet been given.



BREEDING OF THE

ORANGE-HEADED GROUND THRUSH


Geocichla citrina,


AND THE AMERICAN ROBIN


Tardus migratorius.


By Dr. Maurice AMSLER.


It was with a feeling somewhat akin to shame that I met our

hard-working Editor in September near the Western Aviaries at

the Zoo. for is he not constantly reminding us that it is not his

business to write and illustrate the whole of the Avicultural Magazine?

However, a friendly and by no means complimentary allusion to the

Mandrill and the Kaiser dispelled all fear that he had any personal

grudge against me, and in the end, when we parted, I had promised

a few notes on the breeding of the above two species. My reason

for choosing these birds being that both males were given me two

years ago by our Editor, and that he, who was the first in Great

Britain to breed them, gave us but sparse notes of the events.


In my humble opinion the Thrush family are amongst the

most attractive and intelligent of aviary birds : easily tamed, more

inclined to breed than any other genus of softbills ; their colouring

whether bright or subdued, is always beautiful, and more important

than all, they are fine songsters.


My Orange-headed Ground Thrush from the very first made

himself at home—this was in the autumn of 1912—but had to be

contented with the company of other species until the following

spring when I obtained for him a much battered and travel-stained

spouse, the latter I kept in a large cage for a time, but one day tried

to introduce my male to her notice. Almost before I had closed the



