176 BIRDS 



by side and preening the feathers of the head and neck, to 

 the evident enjoyment of the recipient of the attention. 

 This habit is very manifest among the Jay-thrushes and 

 often takes a pernicious form, many birds becoming habitual 

 feather-pullers, and keeping the necks of their cage-mates 

 bare of feathers. 



Jay-thrushes are almost omnivorous, and thrive on soft 

 food, fruit, insects and chopped meat. The larger species 

 will relish a mouse or young sparrow. 



The White-headed Jay-thrush (Garrulax leuco- 

 cephalus), a native of the Himalayas, is the handsomest 

 species, as well as one of the best known. It is dark brown 

 in general, with a head, neck and full crest pure white, with 

 the exception of a black band through the eye. It reaches 

 a length of nine or ten inches. 



The White-throated Jay-thrush (G. albogularis) , 

 also of the Himalayas, is more abundant in the market than 

 the foregoing. It is somewhat smaller, has only the throat 

 white and lacks the crest. This is one of the most persistent 

 of feather-pullers, and it is almost impossible to keep two 

 birds together, unless in a large, well-planted aviary, where 

 there is much to distract the bird's attention. 



The Melodious Jay-thrush {Trochalopterwm can- 

 orum), otherwise known as the Spectacled Thrush and 

 Chinese Thrush or Mocking-bird, is a native of China. It 

 is brown in general, with a white eye-ring, extended back- 

 ward in a short streak. This bird is an uncommonly fine 

 singer, its notes being rich and sweet. Like its relatives, it 

 is long-lived in captivity, but differs from them in its more 

 gentle disposition. 



One of the most common of " soft-billed " cage birds is 

 the Red-billed Hill-tit {Liothrix lutetis), variously 

 known to dealers as Japanese Robin, Pekin Robin and 

 Chinese Nightingale. None of these names is correct, of 



