PADDY-BIRDS AND EGRETS 241 



they find themselves being roughly hustled down what 

 they take to be a dark cavern, but which is, in reality, 

 the gullet of a myna or an egret. These birds look 

 upon cattle as organisms created solely to act as beaters 

 for them. It is, therefore, quite evident that there is 

 no need for an egret to be inconspicuously coloured in 

 order to obtain its meals. It may dress as it pleases. 

 It affects white except when it goes a-courting, when 

 it arrays itself in gorgeous plumes and is then as proud 

 as 'Arriet when she issues forth resplendent in her 

 Sunday finery. 



The difference in the food consumed accounts for the 

 difference between the two species in habits and 

 appearance. 



When I want to shoot a black buck I don incon- 

 spicuous clothing and go forth alone into the jungle 

 and stealthily stalk my game. But if I am after quail 

 or snipe I take no pains to render myself incon- 

 spicuous. I like friends to accompany me and employ 

 beaters to put up the birds. In the former case I hunt 

 a la paddy-bird, in the latter I do a little shikar after 

 the manner of the cattle egret. 



