on the White-throated Ground- Thrush. 183


sitting on the same perch and within a foot or so of one another.

In a dark corner, at a casual glance, they might even be mistaken

for one another. But the similarity, such as it is, will not bear

inspection. The birds of both species favour low perches and

shady nooks, and are consequently not infrequently brought

together; but they do not really associate—there is no true affinity

between them. I11 addition to structural differences, no better

proof that they are diverse need be advanced than the circum¬

stance that they can sit and live together, and frequent the same

haunts week after week and month after month, and yet remain

in perfect peace from sheer indifference to one another’s presence.

Two Pittas or two Thrushes, if well established and healthy,

would go for one another at sight.


It was on the 8th October, 1902, that I obtained my two

males, the only examples of the genus I have ever kept. I need

not describe the plumage of the male: Mr. Grouvold has

depicted the bird, including the face markings, with the greatest

care and accuracy, that is, as tlie}^ were nearly eighteen months

ago, in October, 1902, when he painted “Tim ” the second bird,

the finest “Tom” being loose in the aviary, the general deport¬

ment and carriage however being taken from the latter. Some

trifling changes in the shades of the colours have since taken

place; and last autumn, after they had fully completed their

moult, the brightness and brilliancy of the colouring, especially

of the garden bird, its glossiness and exceeding purity of tint

were beyond the power of human art and hand to reproduce.

The upper parts of the body were then a most brilliant shining

slate-blue, the under the most brilliant orange-chestnut, and all

so exceedingly clear and pure ; the forehead crown and nape

are of a darker shade, to aid the bird in escaping detection. At

that time, at any rate, the colours of the male as given in all the

books to which I have access were by comparison nowhere! But

such delicacy of tint does not last very long in a smoky Loudon

atmosphere. I have to speak of it as a dream of the past.


As might be supposed, Tim in the birdroom commenced

ana got through his moult fully a fortnight earlier than the one

in the garden, but the ultimate result was in favour of the latter.



