Birds in and About tlie Station 
proper and often lengthy rites of breaking up; this must have 
been done from sheer mischief, as, tliough they lilced small 
juicy worms, they never eat the large ones, however skilfully 
brokeii up. 
I never heard them sing, but shortly before my departure 
lor home, they took to uttering a melodious call -note, very rich 
and full for so small a bird, so 1 should not be surprised to 
tind that they are good songsters. 
They pass through the Station in considerable 'number.s 
on their way down in the Autumn, staying some time en route 
for the plains. I fancy the migration is only vertical. On 
their way up in Spring they struggle through in a much more 
scattered way, and I rather think that a stray pair or two may 
remain to breed. My captives wintered out of doors. I have 
never found the nest, but, according to Oates it is a small one 
of moss and leaves in a hole in a tree. 
It is a very smart little bird, with longish dainty legs 
and a rather short tail. Colour above is dull blue, beneath 
it is bright chestnut of a yellow rather than a red tinge; 
cheeks black; a very distinct eyebrow extending to the nape 
white Length about 5.6 inches (Oates) but I think it is a 
good bit smaller, tail 1.8. 
The hen I refuse to attempt to describe beyond stating 
that she is brown. The young are said to be like the female; 
I fancy they soon attain adult plumage, as on the Autumn 
migration, adult plumage cocks are quite as common as hens. 
I think these birds lose colour as regards the blue parts if 
caged I remember writing to our Editor soon after catching 
my birds saying that dull blue did not do them justice, and I 
had no reason to change my opinion as long as they were in 
the aviary, but on getting home I must confess that the blue 
was dull. 1 have written more than I intended, I do not 
apologise for the length, but fear I have not done justice to 
the bird, which is one of my special favourites. 
To be Continued. 
