204 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



THE BUSH WARBLER. 



The Bush Warbler (Thamnolaa olbiscapulatd), an inhabitant of the Abyssinian mountains, 

 possesses a short, decidedly curved beak, slightly pointed wings, in which the fourth quill exceeds 

 the rest in length, a comparatively long and rounded tail, and short feet ; its length is eight inches, 

 and its breadth one foot and three-quarters of an inch, The wing measures four inches and 

 one-third, and the tail three inches and three-quarters. The plumage of the male is of a blueish 

 black upon the head, throat, and upper part of the breast, back, wings, tail, and legs ; the belly and 



THE BUSH WARBLER {Thamnolica alb.scapidata). 



lower breast are bright rust-red ; a band that divides the upper and lower parts of the breast, and 

 the feathers on the small wing-covers are snow-white ; the tail-feathers are rust-red on both sides, and 

 tipped with black. The females and young are without the white patches on the breast and wings. 



We had many opportunities of observing these birds at Habesch, and saw them constantly in 

 the neighbouring mountains. They lived almost invariably in pairs, and frequented rocks, stones, 

 trees, or the surface of the ground, with equal impartiality. Upon the rocks they conduct themselves 

 after the manner of the Stone Thrush : whilst sporting upon the trees, they hang from the trunk, as 

 they search the bark for grubs, or perch on the very topmost bough, and pour forth their clear and 

 joyous song. We were unable to make any observations respecting their breeding and nidification. 



