ME K O L A C H R T S -O LA U S ,
M E R U L A C H R Y S O L A U S j(Temm.).
JAPANESE BROWN OUZEL.
Turdus chrysolaus, Temm. Pl. Col. ii. p. 537 (1831); id. & Schlegel, Faun. Japon., Aves,
p. 64, pl. xxxviii. (1847); Schrenk, Reis. Amurl., Zool. i. p. 352 (1860); Swinh. P. Z. S.
1871, p. 367; David & Oust. Ois. Chine, p. 152 (1877); Blakist. & Pryer, Ibis, 1878,
p. 241.
Turdus chrysolotus, Gray, Gen. JB. i. p. 219 (1847).
Merula chrysolaus, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v. p. 275 (1881); id. B. Japan. Emp.
p. 48 (1891).
M. rostro fuscescente, mandibula flava: pedibus flavis: axillaribus cinereis: bypocbondriis aurantiaco-castaneis :
pileo dorso concolore, olivascenti-brunneo ( ? ) vel cinerascente dorso discolore ( <J).
T h e following account of this species is taken from Seebohm’s * Birds of the J apanese Empire
(p. 48):—“ The Brown Japanese Ouzel is a resident in all the islands. I t is common in Yezzo,
congregating in large flocks in the winter (Whitely, Ibis, 1867, p. 19.9). On the main island it
breeds .on Fuji-yaina, and winters in the plains near Yokohama; but many of the young birds
migrate in autumn to Formosa and South China, and it has once occurred in the Lower Amoor
(Schrenk, Reis, und Forsch. im Amur-Lande, i. p. 352). I have two examples of the young in first
plumage obtained by Mr. Jouy on Fuji-yama, and in the Pryer collection there are fourteen adult
birds from Yokohama .(Blakiston & Pryer, Ibis, 1878, p. 241). Jouy found it quite common at
Fuji in the breeding-season, and.it was also found at Chiusenji Lake and at Tate-yama (Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus,. vi. p. 279, ,1883)..' I have an example collected by Mr. Ringer at Nagasaki, and
Mr. Pryer has recorded it from the central group of the Loo-Choo Islands (Seebohm, Ibis, 1887,
p. 174).” ' From the latter islands Mr. Outram Bangs has also recently recorded it, having
examined, two specimens sent from Ishigaki by Mr. Owston. Here he says it was observed between
February 18th and June 7th, so it probably nests there (Bull. Mus. C. Z. Harvard, xxxvi. p. 264,
1901).H
olst’s opinion was that this Thrush was a winter visitor to the Loo-Choo Islands from November
to May. He says that it was the most numerous species of Thrush on the islands, and great
numbers passed on migration in March (Seebohm, Ibis, 1893, p. 47). He also observed the species
on the Tsu-sima, the Twin Islands between Corea and Japan, where he saw some with a flock of
Merula pallida late in April (Seebohm, Ibis, 1892, p. 88).
The following note by Dr. Nikolski is published in Taczanowski’s e Faune Ornithologique de la
Siberie Orientale’ (i. p. 314):—“ This Thrush does not extend far towards the north in the island
of Sakhalin, but in the central portion of the island it is common enough in the valley of the
River Alexandrowka, and nests there, being found exclusively in the ever-green forests. I t has
not been met with on the northern coast of the island. I t appears, however, to be found , more
numerously in the southern than in the central part of the island, and Poljakow obtained specimens
, there.”