THRUSH. 45 



Mr. Cleghorn observed this in Minorca; but adds, that it is chiefly 

 an inhabitant of Germany, Italy, the Greek Islands, and other parts 

 of the Levant. Mr. White witnessed it to be a perennial inhabitant 

 of the Hill and Rock of Gibraltar, breeding there in numbers, and 

 that the solitary disposition of this species is extremely remarkable \ 

 for they are never seen to associate with each other, even in the 

 breeding season. The male and female remajn separate at all times, 

 except when they retire within their habitation. This conduct, Mr. 

 White observes, seems a wise expedient for the preservation of their 

 offspring, as they run less hazard of both parents being destroyed 

 at once. They are late breeders ; Hens have been found full of eggs, 

 the beginning of April, when the Cocks sing in various parts of the 

 Hill all day long; the note is similar to that of a Blackbird, but 

 softer, and the melody more various ; after singing awhile, take a 

 short flight, wheeling round, and again occupying their former 

 station, and, whilst descending, sing in the manner of some of the 

 Larks. The nest usually made in the most inaccessible parts of the 

 Rock, not to be approached by mankind, without imminent hazard. 



The females have a loud, pining, whining, querulous, single 

 note, especially in autumn and winter. The males remain mostly 

 silent during the heat of the summer, but resume their notes in 

 September or October, after the first rains; they feed chiefly on 

 worms, picked out of crevices of old walls and buildings ; it is a bold 

 bird, never forsaking the rock, or frightened by the continued noise 

 of cannon, and small arms, or the occasional explosion of the mines; 

 and even perches on the tops of the boxes of the sentinels. 



Both this, and the following species, if distinct, are frequently 

 depicted in drawings from India, and are, no doubt, inhabitants of 

 that part of the world : the two following, noted as Species, are also 

 referable to the Blue Thrush, at different periods of age and sex. 



