Page:The Common Birds of Bombay.djvu/97

Rh customs, and you will never understand birds unless you note them. The first species of Thrush that we have to notice is the Rock Thrush (Petrocossyphus cyaneus in Jerdon), so called because its custom is to live about rocks. Gardens and groves have no attraction for it; fields and meadows are positively repulsive. But on the seashore you will find it, sitting on the rocks, quite happy in its own way. In the Deccan, but not in Bombay, it comes about houses and may often be seen perched on the ridge of the roof. Somebody has made the suggestion that it may be the "sparrow" of Scripture, which sitteth alone on the housetop. Sometimes, in sultry weather, it comes in and sits among the rafters, fancying it is in a rocky cave. It is a solitary and silent bird, as we know it; but in April, when the prospect of going home begins to make its spirits gay, it will suddenly break out into a charming song. I forgot to say that the Rock Thrush is about the size of a starling and of a uniform, dark, indigo-blue colour. It is not by any means uncommon in Bombay.

Next come the Babbling Thrushes, which spend much of their time on the ground and rummage among fallen leaves. We are not accustomed to speak of Autumn in India, but there is a time of year in this country, as much as in any other, when each tree puts off its old clothes and gets a new suit. The only difference is that tropical trees for the most part manage the matter more decently than those of cold countries. They do not strip themselves before the new suit is ready and stand naked till it arrives. They undress and dress at the same time, as respectable people do. In this transaction avaricious Mother