66 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



wliere, however, the hen is far less often seen than the 

 cock. Whether there are actually fewer females, or 

 whether they escape observation on account of their 

 undoubtedly more retirinc; habits, I do not know. The 

 Dhaval is not a sociable bird, and even the jmir are not 

 u^uallv seen in close company. Tt is, however, as above 

 implied, not timid, and could ])r()bably l)o made very 

 tame by a little encouragement, such as throwing out 

 cockroaches or crickets for it. It will certainly readily 

 take disabled insects put in its way, and as it builds in 

 any sort of hole, a little box or even an earthen pot, put 

 up in some safe place, would probably be gratefully 

 accepted as house-accommodation. The nest, as is usual 

 in hole-building birds, is rather a rough affair ; the eggs 

 are five in number, greenish with rusty spots. The young 

 are not difficult to rear for insectivorous birds, and make 

 nice pets. But the Dhaval is not much caged in India, 

 as his more gifted relative, the Shama, to be noticed next, 

 is easily obtainable. He has, however, been induced 

 to breed in captivity, both in India and in England. 

 The birds which were bred from here by Mr. F. Groser, 

 of Alipore, were a hand-reared hen and a wild-caught 

 cock, and two young were reared and lived to attain their 

 full plumaue ; they were brotlier and sister. Mr. Groser 

 told me that on the decease of the old hen the dis- 

 consolate widower was so determined iwt to marry agaiji 

 that he has killed all subsequent wives submitted for his 

 approval ? Where the Dhaval is common, it is, I think, 

 .best to leave him at liberty ; but it is well to remember 

 that he is appreciated in England. ;nid liaid to obtain 



