IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 183 



(15) THE HIMALAYAN WHITE-CKESTED LAUGHING 

 THRUSH. 



(GAEEULAX LETJCOLOPHU3— (H&rdw.) ) 



Hindi — Rawet Kahi. 



Description. — Head with crest, cheeks; sides of the neck, chin, 

 throat and breast white ; the occiput or hindermost feathers of the crest 

 grey or ashy ; the space in front of the eye, ear coverts and parts in 

 front, behind and below the eye, black, appearing like a broad black 

 • streak from the nostrils through the eye to the ear- coverts; the rest of 

 plumage olive-brown, the lower plumage tinged with a rufous shade. 

 Bill horny bkck, iris red-brown; its total length is about 11 inches. 



Hab. — Himalayas, ranging from Gurhwal to east of Assam, and 

 extending through the hill ranges to Arracan and Pegu ; a specimen 

 has been obtained at Bassein. They are generally brought down from 

 Xumaon, Almora, Darjeeling and Bhutan for sale in Calcutta. 



Length of life in captivity. 



The longest period during which one of these birds has as yet 

 lived in the garden has been nearly seven years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — Although a spacious aviary is the best for this species, 

 it may, if necessary, be also treated as a cage-bird. Preference should, 

 however, be always given to the former mode of housing, as in that 

 case the bird has an opportunity of seeking its own food on the ground, 

 and a number can live together. It has been sometimes found 

 necessary to separate, as a punitive measure, an aggressive and quarrel- 

 some specimen from the company of the others, and keep it by itself for 

 a longer or shorter period according to circumstances. These birds are 

 fond of rolling on the sand, which should therefore be provided, 

 besides the usual bathing arrangement. 



Food. — Satoo, fruits, insects and worms. It may be frequently 

 seen searching for food in the sand and turf on the floor of an aviary, 

 and if it lights on a centipede, a yulus or a cricket, attacks it with 

 great energy and force, and kills and devours it forthwith ; sometimes 

 it treats satoo and other food like insects, that is, beats it repeatedly and 

 energetically before eating. 



Breeding. — These birds have never laid or even attempted to build 

 in this garden, 



Transport. — No special recommendation is necessary for the trans- 

 port of these birds, which may be effected in a common cage. 



Treatment in sickness. 



Diarrhoea — Occasionally occurs among these birds ; the same treat- 

 ment as has been recommended under Urocissa (Nos. 4-5) will generally 

 prove effective if arising from the same cause, such as indigestion or 



