T U R D U S A T R 0 6 T J I .A E I S , Tm
TU RD US ATROGULARIS, Temm.
Black-throated Thrush.
Tarim atrogularis, Temm. Man. d'Orn., 2nd edit., tom. i. p. 169, and tom. Hi. p. 93.
— dubius, Bechst.
Bechsteinii, Naum. Naturg., neue Ausg., tom. ii. p. 310, tab. 69. fig. 1,
— atrigularis, Schleg. Rev. Crit des Ois. d'Eur., p. xli.
Merula atrogularis, Bonap. Geog. and Comp. List of Birds of Eur. and N. Amer., p. 17.
Cichloides Bechsteini, Kaup.
Planesticus atrogularis, Jerd. Birds of India, vol. i. p. 629.
A f i n e example o f t h i s species having been killed in England, another instance is thereby afforded o f the feet
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 o f the Sand-Grouse {Syrrhaptes
paradoxus), flocks o f which resorted to Europe in the years 1859-60. In like manner examples o f the
present species have, now and then, for a long period visited the European countries contiguous to Siberia
and Western Asia, but nntil lately have not been found so far westward as the British Islands. The particulars
connected with the solitary example o f the bird that has as yet been detected on oar shores,
and from which one o f my figures on the opposite Plate ha* been taken wifi he found in the following
notes forwarded to me by T. J . Monk and George Dfewson Rowley, Esq*. The former gentleman says
“ On Wednesday last (Dec. 23, 1868) a fine example of the Black-throated Thrush • Turdus atrwularu)
was shot near Lewes, and is now in my possession U ; believe the flrst «N
specimen, which proved to be a male, is in eapeifciW ronditioo, and has W
Brighton. Mr. G. D. Rowley wifi take
on the 13th of January next, and »ill leave the bird with von should vou wiab to igmra u m » *B u d i o f
Great Britain.’ ”
o f Central Asia, and onry an aertdeital ••. to Europe *Jk>hM be found <>« the cuum of Great
Britain.” Mr. Blyth says (in ' The j.;-, weer «emit, vol. iv. 1868 n. 3 8 5 ) that itrmt r fm r iM o f T atritnUeris
have the tail more or less rufous, as in '/'. rujkolftt,—and adds, *' I »wspect that T. atrosvhris and T. ruficoltis
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, no 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 o n e : that they vary in some slight degree from those of the other
members of the foinily 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 o f synonyms. In one respect it is certainly very peculiar, oamei»
in the great variation o f plumage to which it is subject—some individuals having speckled m i «potted
throats and sides, somewhat like true Thrushes, while in others the throat is jet black. I have not seen am»
with reddish tail-feathers o r any rufous colouring on the throat sufficiently apparent to warrant mr
the T. atrogularis and the T. ruficolKs o f Pallas to be one and the same specie«, as iWv W heUrwd to W
by some ornithologists; and as I find that Mr. Jordon keeps them separate, I shall contianc to do the wnn .
for if they really be identical, then many other so-called species such as T. Smtmxmd turd T. AmMw m a t
be united, and the list o f birds greatly diminished in number.
“ This Thrush,” says Mr. J m W ' -<> fouud throughout the Himalayas, inhabiting the higher range« ; -
the interior in summer, but descendMMr to the lower ranges in winter * and it i* w t» arraMonait*
the plains o f Lower Bengal. Mr. Birth record* its hat ing been shot at Bnmrltporr m o t Calcutta,
found it not uncommon near Daijeelittg in winter. It keeps to the more open wood*. at a level of from
three to eight thousand feet, and is nccasiQwafK «ret. »» roads and puttm-a»« ft feeds on
berries.”
Dr. Bree remarks that “ this bird k am inhabitant oi S w h e n c e it «Mt -iomdty ittkpwlma use» .
Hungary, Silesia, and Austria. Its oecwm-ace m Buropt-, huwever. is onU accidaii.i}?? ami
is known o f its habits. It ranges south as fer as Napaad'
I am especially indebted to Arthur Grot*, Esq.. in * example* ■■■? <fo> v;,<4 he to*