MER U LA A U R A N T IA {Gm.).
JAMAICA OUZEL.
Le Merle de la Jamdique, Briss. Om, ii. p, 277 (1760)|g
Le Merle brun de la Jamdique, Buff. Hist. Nat. Ois. iii. p. 391 (1775).
White-chinned Thrush, Lath, Gen. Syn. ii. pt. 1, p .'45 (1783).
Turdus aurantius, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 832 (1788).
Turdus leucogenus, Lath. Ind. Om. i. p, 341 (1790).
Merula saltator, Hill, Comp. Jam. Aim. 1842, teste Gosse, B. Jamaica, p. 140 (1847).
Merula leucogmys, Gosse, B. Jamaica, p. 136, Illustr. pi. xxm. (1847).
Catharus aurantius, Bp. C, It. xxxviii. p. 3 (1854).
Semimerula aurantia, Baird, Rev. Amer. B. p. 34 (1864).
Mimocichla aurantia, Scl. & Salv. Nomencl. Av. Neotr. p. 2 (1873).
Merula aurantia, Seehohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mns. v. p. 247 (1881); Stejn. Pr. U.S. Nat, Mus. v.
. p . 473 (1883).
M. rostra et pedihus flavis : schistacea, pileo vix saturatiore : subtus schistacea, peetore medio et abdomme albis :
tectricibus duabus majoribus intends exteroe albis, plagam parvam formantibus.
The Jamaica Ouzel is a very distinct and recognizable species, on account of the small white
wing-patch which is formed hy the white outer aspect of two of the inner greater coverts.
Little has been written about the habits of this Ouzel since Gosse’s standard work on the
' Birds of Jamaica,’ and Mr. W. E. D. Scott, the most recent collector in this West Indian Island,
says that it is one of the species which have suffered from the introduction of the Mongoose into
Jamaica, as, though formerly very common, he was only able to obtain a few specimens during his
expedition. I t is more frequently heard than seen, and is “ found only at the lower levels, in fact
down to the sea, in thick woody places ” (Auk, x. p. 342),
In Jamaica this Thrush is called the “ Hopping Dick” or “ Twopenny Chick,” and the late
Mr, P, W. Gosse has given the following account of its habits;—“ The birds on which the peasantry
in any country have conferred homely abbreviations of human names are, I think, only such as have
something lively and entertaining in their manners. Examples of familiar fe d s will at once occur
to an English reader, and the subject of the present note is by no means an exception to the rule.
He is one of the liveliest of our Jamaican birds ; in woody places his clear whistle perpetually strikes
the ear of the passenger, as he sits among the close foliage, or darts across the glade. Not
infrequently we are startled hy a shrill scream in some lonely place, and out rushes the Hopping
Dick, jumping with rapidity across the road, almost close to our horse’s feet. He greatly reminds
me of the English Blackbird, in his sable plumage, and bright yellow beak, but especially when
hopping along the branches of some pimento-tree, or upon the sward beneath, m those beautiful
park-like estates called pens. The keen glancing of his eye, his quick turns and odd gesticulations,
the elevation of his long tail almost erect, his nods and jerks have in them an uncommon vivacity,
which is not belied by his loud voice, as he repeats a high mellow note four or five times in rapid
succession, just preparatory to or during his sudden flights from tree to tree. His notes are various:
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