290 The Genus Vroclssa, Cahanis. 
from the top of the bank — many times I watched them, almost 
spell-bound for quite lengthy periods, iuul one could always 
see something fresh to admire, either in plumage or deport- 
ment. This species is also well known as the Occipital 
Blue — Pie in this country. 
I greatly desired that one of our members residing in 
India should have written this article, but have been unable to 
accomplish this, but I have got the following notes from the 
Eev. J. M. Paterson, who did not consider himself sufficiently 
acquainted with the species to undertake the article, but he 
writes as follows: 
"I am afraid 1 know very little about Urocissa uccipitalis, though I 
"have seen him often enough in tlie Himalayan forests, as every traveller 
" does, for as he rises from the ground and tiies high up into the trees he 
" is a most conspicuous object. He is a ground feeder, and spends a good 
" deal of his time on terra fir ma, and as he rises from his feeding ground — 
"the top of some tali tree being his objective — he always attracts the eye 
" with his brilliant colouring. His whole upper back, wings and tail appear 
" to be bright blue, but when he settles high up he only shows a bright 
"coral-red beak, set off with black head and neck, and silky white waist- 
" coat and undertail feathers distnictly barred." 
" His nest is geaerally in the topmost fork of a higli tree, strongly 
'■ and compactly built of twigs. The bird is a bold one and fearlessly app- 
■' roaches villages and the habitations of mankind, though he is a true forest 
" bird in his habits. The natives frequently keep it as a cage pet and it 
" becomes very tame." 
I do not think I need occupy space with generalities 
and will merely state, that all the species, would thrive and 
do well in quite a moderate sized aviary, with other birds 
of similar strength, and character, thus kept they soon be- 
come attached to their owners. As regards diet, this should 
be varied, for they are almost omnivorous. Some good in- 
seciile mixture siiouid form the staple diet, with a little minced 
meat two or three times a week; fruit, boiled potato, boiled 
rice, insects of all kinds, also chopped lettuce or other green - 
food ; any kinds of insect life garden or hedgerow supplies, 
also any small mice available; scraps of bread, cake, etc., 
left from the table can all help to swell the bulk of the soft 
food dish. 
The sexes of Urocissa are similar in plumage, but the 
the bill of the male is a little longer and more slender than 
tha: of his mate. 
