M E R U L A G A R D I S (Temm).
GREY JAPANESE OUZEL.
Twdrn cordis, Temm. PI. Col., i pi. 518; id. & Schl. Faun. Japon. p. 65, pk. xxix., xxx.;
Swinh. P. Z. S. 1871, p. 367; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 150 (1877); Blakist. & Pryer,
Ibis, 1878, p. 240; Stejn. Pr. U.S. Nat. Mus. xv. p. 314 (1892).
Merula cardie, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 261 (1881); id. B. Japan Emp. p. 45
(1890).
M. rostro et pedibus flavis: pectore medio et abdomine albis: corporis lateribus aurantiacis vel brunneis, minimS
vinaeeis, et nigro guttatis; axillaribus griseis ( d ) vel aurantiacis ( ? ).
T h is pretty Ouzel is an inhabitant o f Japan in summer, wintering in China and Hainan.
I t is said by Blakiston to be found in Yezo and Japan generally (‘Amended List B. Japan,’ p. 16,
1884), and specimens are in the British and United States National Museums from Hakodate
(Senson; SlaMeton) and Sapporo {SlaMeton) in Yezo, from Nagasaki in Kiusiu {Singer), and from
Fuji in Hondo {Jouy, E . Pryer). ■
Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer state that the species breeds commonly on Mt. Fujisan. The late
P. L. Jouy speaks of it as being a lowland Thrush. He found nests at Fuji in .the latter part
o f June and early in July, all around the base of the mountain; here it was quite common, but he
did not meet with it at any other place.
Abbe David and Dr. Oustalet state that the species occurs Amur Land in summer, but
I have not discovered any authority for this fa c t; they likewise remark on its non-appearance
near Pekin. Dr. Stejneger, however, mentions a specimen procured by Jouy at Fusan, Corea,
in' April 1886. I t visits Southern China during the winter (Ois. Chine, p. 150,1877). Consul
Swinhoe also records it as being found in flocks on the south coast of China, as far as
Canton (P. Z. S. 1863, p. 280). Near the latter place he noticed these Ouzels passing north
in February and March (Ibis, 1860, p. 132). Mr. F. W. Styan records M. cardie from Foochow,
where Mr. De La Touche also met with it from November to April; it was, however, not common
in the neighbourhood (Ibis, 1887, p. 217). Specimens procured by Mr. C. B. Rickett in the
same area have been presented by him to the British Museum, which also possesses specimens
collected by Swinhoe at Hong Kong and Amoy (March and April), as well as in Hainan. Here,
says Swinhoe, “ I saw this Thrush, early in February, about the gardens at Kiungchow-foo, and on
the 20th of that month at Tai-ping-sze, in Central Hainan, I secured a fine male in full adult black
and white plumage ” (Ibis, 1870, p. 248). _ .
Messrs. Blakiston and Pryer state that the present species sings beautifully. The .nests taken
on Fujisan were made “ almost wholly of moss/and often placed on a stump or built against the
side of a tree. The eggs were five, of a greenish or reddish white, patched all over with umberbrown.”
Jouy describes the nest as follows “ I t is generally placed m the fork of a.small tree'
overhanging a stream, and is composed of moss and roots woven into a compact mass, with the
addition of dried leaves and mud to give it solidity. I t is lined with grass, fine rootlets, and
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