THE SINGING BIRDS. 20$ 



days, and leaves the bird in its ordinary state of health. Throughout the whole course of the attack 

 the little prisoner exhibits a degree of terror which is quite inexplicable, at sights and sounds that at 

 other times would scarcely attract its attention. 



THE BLUE ROCK WAGTAIL, OR BLUE THRUSH. 



The Blue Rock Wagtail, or Blue Thrush {Petrocincla cyana), is rather larger than the 

 species last mentioned, being from eight inches and three-quarters to nine inches and a half long, 

 and fourteen broad ; the wing measures five and the tail three inches and a half. The plumage of 

 the male is of an uniform greyish blue, and the quills and tail-feathers edged with blue. The female 

 is blueish grey upon the upper part of the body, the throat being decorated with light reddish brown 

 spots, each of which is surrounded by a dark line ; the feathers on the under side are edged with 

 brownish white, and marked with dark brown crescent-shaped patches ; the quills and tail-feathers are 

 also dark brown. The nestlings resemble the mother, but have light brown spots upon the back ; 

 the eyes of all are brown, and the beak and feet black. After the moulting season all the feathers 

 in the plumage of the male are of an uniform greyish blue, and the quills and tail-feathers edged 

 with blue. 



The Blue Thrushes inhabit the whole of Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and a portion of 

 Central Asia, and are especially numerous in Greece, Dalmatia, Italy, the South of France, Spain, 

 Egypt, and Algiers ; during winter a few are occasionally seen in Indfia, but these, no doubt, are 

 stragglers that have lost their way, as, for the most part, these birds remain throughout the entire 

 year in their native land. Like the species last described, they principally occupy rocky valleys and 

 mountainous regions, but are also often to be seen about towns and villages, where they perch upon 

 steeples, roofs, or lofty walls ; in Egypt they frequently dwell within the ruins of ancient temples. 

 Although sprightly and active, they are remarkably unsocial, and exhibit a positive dislike to the 

 society not only of man and of birds in general, but of their own kind. During die period of 

 incubation alone do they associate even in pairs ; at other seasons each leads an entirely independent 

 life, and exhibits active hostility to every other member of the featiiered creation. The flight of this 

 species is much more continuous than that of its congeners, and it usually hovers before perching : 

 like the Thrush, it often soars into the air when about to pour forth its song. Upon the ground it 

 moves with great ease and rapidity. The voice of the Blue Thrush, though inferior to that of the 

 Rock Wagtail, is pleasing, and so flexible as readily to imitate the notes of other birds. The 

 evolutions performed by the male for the delectation of his mate are even more comical than those 

 indulged in by the Petrocincla saxatilis, as the little creature inflates his body until it is almost as 

 round as a ball, bows his head, and continually brandishes his tail aloft whilst engaged in going 

 through his dancing steps. The nest is situated in holes in rocks, walls, and ruins, or upon lofty 

 towers or steeples, and is rudely formed of grass ; nevertheless, its flat interior is neatly lined with 

 fibres. The four oval-shaped eggs which compose a brood are laid at the beginning of May. These 

 are of a glossy, greenish blue, faintly spotted with violet-grey, and more distinctly with reddish brown ; 

 unspotted eggs are also occasionally laid. In Italy, Malta, and Greece, the Blue Thrush is especially 

 esteemed as a domestic favourite, and commands a high price. Wright tells us that in Malta 

 particularly, from fifteen to twenty dollars are frequently paid for a good singer, and that as high a 

 sum as fifty dollars has been given for an unusually gifted specimen. In Malta, such of the lower 

 orders as keep these birds fasten a piece of red cloth to the cage, in order to protect its inmate from 

 the much-dreaded evil eye. Owing to the extreme care with which the nests are concealed, and the 

 unusual timidity displayed by this species, its capture is attended with great difficulty ; indeed, non 

 but the most wary and patient of sportsmen can hope to obtain an adult bird. 



