58 BLUE THRUSH. 



Temminck placed the two European Kock Thrushes in what he 

 called the Saxicoles — the second division or section of his genus Tardus 

 — in consequence of their affinity to the Wheatears and Stonechats. 

 They differ, however, from these latter in having the beak of the true 

 Thrushes. On the other hand they are more solitary in their habits, 

 they never migrate in flocks, and, although not exclusively insectivorous, 

 they are much more so than the Thrushes, properly so called. In 

 the present notice, therefore, I shall follow the example of Gould, 

 Keyserling and Blasius, and Degland, and place the Blue Thrush in 

 the genus Petrocincla of Vigors, with which family, as observed by 

 Mr. Gould, it is evidently the connecting link. Prince Bonaparte has 

 adopted the arrangement of Boie, who formed a separate genus, Petro- 

 cossyphus, for this bird, under which name it is alluded to by Captain 

 Loche, as inhabiting the highest regions of Algeria. 



The Blue Thrush inhabits the South of France, Spain, Sardinia, 

 the Levant, and Italy. It is also found in the Morea; it is abundant 

 in the valleys of Piedmont, less common in Switzerland and the Tyrol, 

 still rarer in the Vosges, and abundant in the Apennines. It is spread 

 over Greece, and ranges, according to Brehm, into parts of Asia, and 

 the northern parts of Africa. 



In its habits this bird is solitary, rarely perching on trees. It is 

 found among retired ruins and wild unfrequented rocks and caverns, 

 where, seated upon the highest point it can find, it sends forth its 

 sweet, melancholy, and plaintive note, giving an additional charm to 

 the picturesque and beautiful scenery it frequents. It is a shy bird. 

 It builds in the crevices of rocks, on church towers, ruins of mountain 

 castles, and other high buildings. Its nest is of considerable size, 

 formed of grass and straw, like a shallow bowl, and bound together 

 with bents and fibres of roots. 



In the beginning of May it lays five oval shining greenish blue 

 eggs, having upon them faint spots of violet grey, over which are 

 reddish or red brown markings. Some are also unspotted. They differ 

 from P. saxatilis in being larger, of a paler colour, and in the much 

 clearer spot markings. — Brehm, in Badeker's European Eggs. 



Count Von der Miihle, in his "Grecian Ornithology," remarks of this 

 bird: — "It is very plentiful on the rocky hills of the Morea and in 

 the islands. In its habits and sonsr it has a srreat resemblance to the 

 Stonechats. In summer it frequents steep rocky places, but in the 

 latter part of autumn it comes plentifully into the towns, where it may 

 be observed on the topmost ridges of the houses, singing and looking 

 out for food. It is wary, and carefully avoids all traps. The nest is 



