TURDU S ATROGULA RI S, Temm.
Black-throated Thrush.

Turdus atrogularis, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 2nd edit., tom. i. p. 169, and tom. iii. p. 93.
dubius, Bechst.

—— Bechsteinii, Naum. Naturg., neue Ausg., tom ii. p. 310, tab. 69. tical
mmm CULOULCIISS Schleg. Rey. Crit. des Ois. d’Eur., p. xli.
Merula atrogularis, Bonap. Geog. and Comp. List of Birds of Eur. and N. Amer., Do 17.
Cichloides Bechsteini, Kaup.
Planesticus atrogularis, Jerd. Birds of India, vol. i. p. 529.

 

 

A Fine example of this species having been killed in England, another instance is thereby afforded of the fact
that many birds whose natural homes are in the northern and eastern portions of Asia wander occasionally
into countries further west. Mostly they are solitary individuals that thus shift their quarters ; but in some
cases the movement is effected by hundreds, as in the well-known instance of the Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes
paradovus), flocks of which resorted to Europe in the years 1859-60. In like manner examples of the
present species have, now and then, for a long period visited the European countries contiguous to Siberia
and Western Asia, but until lately have not been found so far westward as the British Islands. The par-
ticulars connected with the solitary example of the bird that has as yet been detected on our shores,
and from which one of my figures on the opposite Plate has been taken, will be found in the following
notes forwarded to me by T. J. Monk and George Dawson Rowley, Esqs. The former gentleman says,
“On Wednesday last (Dec. 23, 1868) a fine example of the Black-throated Thrush (7urdus atrogularis )
was shot near Lewes, and is now in my possession. It is, I believe, the first obtained in Great Britain. The
specimen, which proved to be a male, is in excellent condition, and has been well preserved by Swaysland, of
Brighton. Mr. G. D. Rowley will take it to London and exhibit it at the meeting of the Zoological Society
on the 13th of January next, and will leave the bird with you, should you wish to figure it in your ‘ Birds of
Great Britain.’” “TT think it a matter of interest,” says Mr. Rowley, ‘that a Thrush belonging to the fauna
of Central Asia, and only an accidental visitor to Europe, should be found on the south coast of Great
Britain.” Mr. Blyth says (in ‘ The Ibis,’ new series, vol. iv. 1868, p. 399 ) that some examples of 7. atrigularis
have the tail more or less rufous, as in 7. ruficollis,—and adds, “I suspect that Z) atrogularis and T. ruficollis
are specifically identical. I believe, however, that most authors consider them distinct Species, in which
you also concur.”

As the individual above mentioned was not allowed to live an hour after it was seen, 00 Opportunity was
afforded for observing its habits and actions—which is the more to be regretted, inasmuch as but little has
been written respecting them by any one: that they vary in some slight degree from those of the other
members of the family there can be little doubt, since in form and general appearance the bird differs from

 

all the European Thrushes—a circumstance which has led to two or three generic appellations being applied
to it, as will be seen in the above list of synonyms. In one respect it is certainly very peculiar, namely
in the great variation of plumage to which it is subject—some individuals having speckled and spotted
throats and sides, somewhat like true Thrushes, while in others the throat is jet black. I have not seen any
with reddish tail-feathers or any rafous colouring on the throat sufficiently apparent to warrant my believing
the Z. atrogularis and the 7. rufcollis of Pallas to be one and the same species, as they are believed to be
by some ornithologists ; and as I find that Mr. Jerdon keeps them separate, I shall continue to do the same ;
for if they really be identical, then many other so-called species, such as 7’. Nawmanni and T. fuscatus, must
be united, and the list of birds greatly diminished in number.

“This Thrash,” says Mr. Jerdon, ‘is found throughout the Himalayas, inhabiting the higher ranges in
the interior in summer, but descending to the lower ranges in winter; and it is even occasionally found in
the plains of Lower Bengal. Mr. Blyth records its having been shot at Barrackpore, near Calcutta. I]
found it not uncommon near Darjeeling in winter. It keeps to the more open woods, at a level of from
three to eight thousand feet, and is occasionally seen on roads and pathways. It feeds on insects and
berries.”

Dr. Bree remarks that ‘this bird is an inhabitant of Siberia, whence it occasionally migrates into Russia,
Hungary, Silesia, and Austria. Its occurrence in Europe, however, is only accidental ; and little or nothing

a . . re Gj >
is known of its habits. It ranges south as far as Nepaul.”
T am especially indebted to Arthur Grote, Esq., for some fine examples of this bird which he has