426 Mr. F. Finn on the 



kinds imported ; some, indeed, of these temperate-climate 

 species seem to feel the heat less tbaii denizens of tlie tropics. 



I am very glad to say tliat, on the whole, the captives 

 are well treated here. The custom above alluded to, of 

 wrapping up tlie cages in cloths, is certainly regrettable, but 

 the general condition of the birds shows that they are well 

 looked after. Nor are they confined in such a miserably 

 small space as is sometimes the case in Europe, notably 

 with Linnets in England. 



The importation of foreign birds is not likely, in ray 

 opinion, to have any great influence on the Indian fauna. 

 Of course many escape, but these, if they evade the 

 numerous Crows, ever watcliful for a stranger or a weakling, 

 are not numerous enough to establish themselves, even if 

 the climate prove suitable for their propagation. I have 

 some reason, however, for thinking that the Java Sparrow 

 (MupJa 07'yzivora) is becoming established here, as in so 

 many other places. But this need be no matter for regret, 

 as the species is one of exceptional beauty, and, though it is 

 undoubtedly destructive in some places, it has never become 

 a pest in India, where it has existed in a wild state 

 ever since Jerdon's time. I therefore feel no shame in 

 confessing to having liberated at different times some scores 

 of individuals, in the hope of giving it a footing as a wild 

 species in this part of the country; especially since, being so 

 numerously imported, so often escaping, and being so well 

 able to look after itself, it was likely to take up such a position 

 without deliberate assistance on the part of anyone. 



[ will now proceed to treat of the various species of cage- 

 birds to be met with here under their families as given in the 

 Bird-volumes of the ' Fauna of British India,' the scientific 

 nomenclature of wliich 1 shall employ, interpolating the 

 exotic forms under the names employed in the British 

 Museum Catalogue of Birds. 



Family C o r v i d ^. 



Considering the popularity of the members of the Crow- 

 tribe in England, I was rather surprised to find that in 



