Breeding of the Orange-headed Ground Thrush, etc. 33


This species is obviously late in nesting', but at the same time

appears to moult at the usual period, and there is therefore I fear

little hope of getting a second brood. I do not think it likely that

they would have made a second attempt this year had not the first

brood disappeared when quite young.


I have already mentioned that my American Bobin came

from the same source as the Orange-headed Ground Thrush : he

was in fact bred at Benham Valence in Mr. Astley’s aviaries.


I was able to procure a hen for him from Fockelmann, and

she arrived here, as do most birds from Germany (let us give them

their due for one virtue) viz., fit to turn straight out into the

aviary. These two birds were friends from the start and the hen

very shortly became as tame as the cock. Within two months of

her arrival she began to build and was helped in her labours by the

cock. They both persisted in building on a hinged flap placed over

the door of their shelter, and as the said flap has occasionally to be

let down I did my best to discourage them and finally persuaded

them to take possession of a shallow box placed near the chosen

site. Here a coarse untidy nest was constructed, much like that of

a blackbird, the lining being composed of fine grasses and hair, and

of a much more workmanlike finish than the exterior.


On May 14th the hen was sitting on her nest and this she

continued to do until the 24th, when she laid her first egg, almost

like that of the common Song Thrush.* No more followed so I

placed the egg under a wild thrush, who must have sat for a time

and then forsaken, for when I visited the nest on June 10th I found

the eggs cold, but the “ foster-egg” contained a fully-formed chick.


To return to my Bobins. The hen remained on her nest for

three days after I had robbed her and then appeared to forgive me.


Here I may quote direct from my notes :—


May 30th. Both birds building in a canary travelling-cage : almost

completed nest in one day and then ceased work.

June 7th. One egg dropped on aviary floor.


,, 8th. Hen is “broody” and is sitting on bare wooden shelf,

but does not lay.



* The egg of the American Migratory Thrush (or Robin) is a beautiful rich

greenish blue, rarely having any spots. —Ed.



