182 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(14) THE BLACK-THROATED LAUGHING THRUSH. 



(DEYONASTES CHINENSIS— (Scop.) ) 

 Description. — The general colour of the bird is brownish black 

 above ; forehead, lores, parts round the eyes, chin, throat, and the middle 

 of the upper breast black ; cheeks and ear coverts white ; nape and top of 

 the head slaty blue ; tail olive-brown, with a broad terminal black band ; 

 primaries grey ; breast and upper portion of the abdomen ashy grey ; 

 remaining part of it brown or ashy brown ; bill black ; iris red ; the 

 length of the bird is about 11 inches. 

 Sab. — China and Burmah. 



Length of life in captivity. 



The longest period during which a specimen has lived in the garden 

 has been over five years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — A small cage suits as well as a large aviary, but for the 

 purpose of a Zoological garden, the latter is to be preferred. Unless 

 the bird is perfectly healthy and its wings and feathers are clean 

 and free, it should not be placed with other birds at once on its arrival, 

 as in that case it is likely to be tormented by the older inmates of the 

 houses ; this precaution should be observed in all such cases. 



Food. — It maintains excellent health when fed upon a mixed diet 

 consisting of satoo, minced meat, insects and worms. 



Breeding. — These birds have on some occasions been observed in 

 the act of carrying hay, leaves, &c. ; the object, no doubt, was domestic, 

 but they have never been known to lay eggs. 



Treatment in sickness. 



New arrivals generally suffer from slight diarrhoea , brought on by 

 change and abundance of diet. No attempt should in such cases be 

 made to treat the symptoms, but the cause should be removed. 



Observations on the habits of a Black-throated Laughing 

 Thrush. 



Sociable in disposition, it soon becomes very tame, familiar, and 

 demonstrative, responding to caresses and attentions by assuming 

 singular attitudes and sitting at the side of the cage or aviary picking 

 up food from the hand. It never sits still, but is always active, either 

 flying about from perch to perch, or engaged in play with some 

 companions of the same or other species. It whistles beautifully, and 

 has also a sort of subdued note. Often it may be seen away in a corner 

 of the aviary, assiduously searching for insects and larvse, both of which 

 form no inconsiderable portion of its diet. 



