CYANECULA LEUCOCYANA 
White-throated Bluebreast. 
Cyanecula leucocijana, Brehm, Naum. Vog. t. 364. f 1, 2, & t. 365. f 1, 2. 
On reference to my description of Cyanecula suecica it will be seen that I have questioned whether the 
various Bluebreasts which are found in Europe and in many parts of Africa, India, and China are distinct 
from each other, or merely varieties of one and the same species. But if we consider the numerous Yellow 
Wagtails which extend over a similar area distinct, it will scarcely be consistent to unite the differently 
coloured Bluebreasts. When these pretty birds are more closely studied I think it likely they will he still 
further separated than they have been. As to the countries they frequent, each appears to be confined to a 
particular locality. In Europe these variously marked migrants resort in summer to very different sections 
of this portion of the globe. The first-described species (the Motacilla suecica of Llnnseus), which 
is distinguished by a red spot in the centre of the blue breast, frequents the most northern and eastern 
parts ; while the Cyanecula leucocyana, with a silky-white spot in the same place, is found in the southern 
and western portions of the continent — that is, from the banks of the Rhine to the Mediterranean. Both the 
red- and the white-spotted birds have been seen in the British Islands ; hut it is upon the latter only that it 
is necessary to remark here. Of the C. suecica sufficient has been said in the description accompanving the 
Plate of that species. There can be no doubt that a bird of this genus has been met with in the Isle of 
Wight; and Mr. Harting especially notes, in his v^aluahle ‘ Handbook of British Birds,’ that it had a white 
spot on the throat. Those who desire to know more respecting this occurrence will do well to consult the 
‘ Zoologist’ for 1865, where a considerable amount of information is given. 
In the ‘ Natural History, General and Particular,’ of the celebrated Buffon, vol. 15 (Birds), translated by 
William Smellie, an elaborate and interesting article on the habits of the White-throated Bluebreast will be 
found. A comparison is first made between it and the Robin ; and he then goes on to state that “ they have 
also the same habits ; only their haunts are different : the Redbreast lives in the heart of the woods ; but 
the Bluebreast frequents their skirts, and also marshes, wet meadows, and places which are covered with 
willows and reeds. And (with the same solitary instincts as the Redbreast) it seems alike to he familiar with 
man ; for, after the summer months have been spent in its sequestered retreats, it visits the gardens, avenues, 
and hedges before its departure, and ventures so near that it may be easily shot. Like the Redbreast it 
never keeps in flocks, and seldom more than two are seen together. At the end of summer, says Lottinger, 
the Bluebreasts alight in the fields that are sown with large kinds of grain. Frisch mentions fields of peas 
as their favourite haunt, and pretends that they breed among them ; but their nests are more often found 
among the willow, osier, and other bushes which grow in wet situations. During the love-season the male 
mounts perpendicularly to a moderate height in the air, chanting as he rises ; he then whirls round, and 
drops on to a hough as cheerfully as a Pettychaps, with which the Bluebreast seems to have some habits in 
common. He also sings in the night; and, according to Frisch, his warble is very sweet. The B1 lehreast 
is as fond of bathing as the Redbreast, and often haunts the margin of waters. It lives on worms and 
other insects, and in the season of its passage also eats elderberries. It may be seen among the fens, 
seeking its food on the ground, running briskly, and cocking its tail, especially the male when he hears the 
real or imitated voice of the female. Among the adult males some have the whole of the neck blue ; and 
these are probably old birds, particularly as the remainder of the colours and the red zone on the breast 
appear to be deeper in those individuals. The others, which are more numerous, have a spot like a half 
collar, of a fine white, which Frisch compares to the lustre of polished silver ; and from this character the 
birdcatchers of Brandenburg have applied the name of Mirror-bird. These rich colours tarnish and fade in 
confinement, and even after the first moulting-. 
“ They are frequent in Alsace ; but though they are spread through Germany, they are not very common 
in any part.” 
Bailly, speaking of the true Cyanecula leucocyana under the name of Ruticilla cyanecula in his ‘ Ornithologie 
de la Savoie,’ says ; — “ This species is not rare in Savoy during its spring and autumnal migrations. Still 
many hunters do not know it, and others believe it to be exceedingly rare. It frequents thickets and hedges. 
I have noticed many in summer in wooded and very damp regions of the mountains near Chambery, 
especially at Apremont and Entremont, near tbe hamlet of Coche. 
