424 Mr. F. Finn on the 



opportunity of inspecting some time ago. And even to-day 

 in Calcutta many birds are commonly to be seen in captivity 

 hailing both' from various parts of India itself and from 

 other countries, although " the fancy " is no longer what it 

 was^ and both the demand and supply have dwindled away 

 sadly. Nevertheless, enough birds are to be seen to arouse 

 keen interest in English amateurs; and this is especially 

 noticeable in the case of ^' soft-billed " or insectivorous 

 and frugivorous forms, which are very extensively kept 

 in India. 



Calcutta rejoices in a very well-known bird-market in 

 Tiretta Bazaar; and as this is within an easy walk of the 

 Musenm, I have long been in the habit of paying it frequent 

 visits. One or two dealers in the Provision Bazaar also 

 keep cage-birds ; but Tiretta is the leading emporium for pets, 

 always excepting Mr. W. llutledge^s establishment in South 

 Road, Entally. There business has been carried on for nearly 

 half a century, Mr. Rutledge dealing in living animals of 

 all kinds ; and many very choice birds pass through his 

 hands, though he naturally does not trouble himself greatly 

 about the commoner species. To him I have long been 

 indebted for much information concerning birds and the 

 methods pursued in keeping them. 



Few birds seem to be kept or bred in aviaries here ; small 

 cages with a single inmate, or larger receptacles containing 

 several, are chiefly in vogue; and as the objectionable custom 

 of covering up birds kept for song is almost universally 

 followed, it is not easy to determine the exact species of the 

 occupants in many cases, though the note often affords a 

 clue to the captive^s identity. Cages for small singing-birds 

 are usually oblong with a vaulted roof, and provided Avith 

 two perches, or are square with a pyramidal top, containing 

 only one perch ; they are fitted with large comfortable 

 handles, as it is the custom to take cage-birds out continually 

 in order to give them fresh air. 



Larger birds are kept in big wicker cages with a domed or 

 hemispherical top, and Parrots in similar round domiciles 

 of iron, or chained to iron swings. All native cages have a 



