The STONE THRUSH, or ROCK WAGTAIL (_Petrocincla-Turdus-saxatilis_), is a
magnificently-coloured bird, about eight inches long and fourteen broad.
The head, face, part of the throat, nape, and rump are of a beautiful
blueish grey, the entire under side is bright rust-red, the quills are
blackish brown, the shoulder-feathers deep grey or slaty black; the two
centre tail-feathers are dark grey, and those at the exterior rust-red.
In autumn all the small feathers have light edges. The female is of a
pale brown, spotted with a still lighter shade on the upper part of the
body, whilst the rust-red feathers on the under side are darkly bordered:
the throat is white. In both sexes the eyes are reddish brown, the
beak pale black, and the feet of a reddish hue; the young resemble the
mother. These birds frequent all the mountain regions of Southern Europe,
but are also known to breed in some part of Austria, in the Tyrol,
along the course of the Rhine, and occasionally in Bohemia and in the
Hartz Mountains: in Italy and Greece they are especially numerous, and
everywhere appear to prefer the rocky valleys lying immediately at the
foot of mountain ranges to the precipices or towering heights occupied by
the group last described.
The Rock Wagtails generally appear in Europe about April or May, and
almost immediately commence their preparations for breeding. Their nests,
usually concealed with great cunning in such holes in the rock or ground
as are almost inaccessible, are made of twigs, straw, moss, or grass,
heaped roughly together to form the outer wall, the cup-shaped interior
being neatly lined with a variety of elastic materials, selected with
great care. The delicate blueish green eggs (see Fig. 24, Coloured
Plate IV.) are from four to six in number. We have not as yet been
able to ascertain whether the male relieves his partner in the work of
incubation, or contents himself with amusing her by a kind of dance,
performed with ruffled streaming plumage and half-closed eyes, in which
he delights to indulge at this season of the year. Both parents, however,
assist in tending the young flock, who are reared on the same kinds of
insects as form the staple food of the adults; the latter also devour
snails and worms, and during the autumn consume large quantities of
berries and fruit, including grapes. Their winter migrations take place
in September, and often extend over a large portion of Northern Africa;
indeed, we have often seen them in the vicinity of the Blue River. In
disposition the Rock Wagtail is cautious, sprightly, and restless,
passing almost the entire day in active exercise; its flight is extremely
light and beautiful, and so rapid as to enable it to seize an insect on
the wing; unlike most of the members of its family, it generally flies
in a direct line, and, after describing a few circles in the air, hovers
awhile before perching. Upon the ground its movements alternate between
a tripping step, accompanied by repeated bowings of the head, and the
dancing movement alluded to above. Its voice is pleasing, flute-like,
and capable of imitating a great variety of notes and sounds; it is for
this reason unusually attractive when caged. Count Gourcy tells us that
it soon becomes so tame as to greet its master with a song, and testifies
its affection by a variety of pretty tricks.
We must not omit to mention one strange propensity to which this species
is addicted when in captivity, during the season at which its kind
usually migrate. At that time of the year it seems seized with attacks of
perfect frenzy, rushes round its cage, leaps about, and utterly refuses
to take any food that is not forced upon it. This state of excitement
only continues for from eight to ten days, and leaves the bird in its
ordinary state of health. Throughout the whole course of the attack the
little prisoner exhibits a degree of terror which is quite inexplicable,
at sights and sounds that at other times would scarcely attract its
attention.