190 cassell's book of birds. 



a thorough enjoyment of existence ; and their demeanour, as they hop quickly over the ground, with 

 body creel and tail outstretched, evidently denotes a most satisfactory consciousness of their own 

 personal charms. When climbing among, or perching on the branches of a tree or bush, they show to 

 less advantage; and their flight, through rapid, cannot be maintained for any great distance. The 

 song of the various species differs considerably in quality; that of the Swedish Blue-throat is, perhaps, 

 the least pleasing to the ear, owing to the fact that the various strophes that compose it are each in 

 turn repeated with a frequency that soon becomes wearisome to the hearer, after he has ceased to 

 amuse himself with the strange droning under-tone or accompaniment kept up by the bird during the 

 whole song, which produces the effect of two distinct voices. Amongst the Lapps this species is 

 known as the " Hundred-tongued Warbler," from the great faculty it has for imitating, not only the 

 notes of birds, but a great variety of sounds. Like the Hedge Warblers generally, it is most unwearied 

 in these vocal exertions, which are often continued even whilst the little songster is running upon the 

 ground. The nests built by the Blue-throats are often concealed in bushes, or among the roots of 

 trees, with so much care as to render their discovery a work of difficulty. Holes in the banks of 

 rivers or brooks are also sometimes selected for the reception of the nest ; that side of the water, 

 according to Hinz, always being preferred which is most exposed to the rays of the morning or 

 noon-day sun. The nest itself is large, open at the top, and formed of twigs and stalks of plants, 

 lined with delicate blades of grass, and in northern latitudes with wool or hair. The eggs, which are 

 laid in the middle of May, are from six to seven in number, and have delicate light blueish green 

 shells, marked with reddish brown spots, and clouded with brown at the broad end. Both parents 

 assist in the work of incubation, which lasts for about a fortnight. The young are reared upon 

 worms and beetles. They leave the nest before they can fly, and soon learn to run over the surface 

 of the ground with the rapidity of mice. No sooner is the first family fairly started in the world 

 than the parents at once commence preparations for a second brood. When caged, the Blue-throat 

 "soon becomes very tame, but unless carefully tended only survives for a short time. 



The RUBY NIGHTINGALES {Calliope) are a group of Asiatic birds nearly related to the 

 Blue-throats, and forming, as it were, the connecting link between them and the Hedge Warblers. 

 All have moderately long and powerful beaks, strong, high tarsi, large toes, and medium-sized wings, 

 the first quill of which is unusually short. The tail is short, pointed at the sides, and rounded in the 

 centre of its tip. The plumage is compact and smooth. 



THE CALLIOPE OF KAMSCHATKA. 



The Calliope of Kamschatka (Calliope Camtschatcensis) is the species of the above group 

 selected for description, as, according to Temminck, it may now also be regarded as an inhabitant of 

 Europe. Upon the upper part of the body the plumage is olive-brown, deepest in shade upon the 

 brow and head ; the under side is greenish grey, except the centre of the breast, which is white ; the 

 bridles are black, and a streak over the eyes of glossy whiteness ; the throat is of a magnificent ruby 

 red, and separated from the breast by a black line, that fades gradually into a brownish grey. In the 

 plumage of the female all the colours are paler than in that of her mate. The young are dark 

 brownish grey, marked with reddish yellow. The length of this species is six inches; the wing 

 measures two inches ; and the tail two inches and one-third. 



According to Middendorf, these birds frequent the well-watered provinces and marshy districts of 

 North-eastern Asia, from the middle of May till the beginning of October (occasionally, only, till the 

 end of August), when they commence their migrations, journeying through Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, 

 Southern China, and Japan, and reaching India about November. The Calliope usually remains 



