2 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



prince of songsters by a long distance, yet 

 the sweetness of its song is highly remark- 

 able for its variety, depth, impetuousness, 

 and modulation, which have made it the 

 darling of both the high and the low throu- 

 ghout the length and breadth of India. This 

 bird was familiar to our ancestors in the long- 

 past. The name Shama signifies *glossy 

 dark' — a predominant colour of the bird. 

 The name has another fascination for the 

 Hindus, whose love and reverence for the 

 goddess of that name are so well-known. 

 The bird has yet another charm. It is very 

 docile in captivity, though so bold and fear- 

 less in demeanour. This, added to its 

 beauty and its wonderful capacity for imita- 

 ting human voices and calls of other birds 

 and animals, has greatly enhanced its value 

 as a caged pet. The attention which it can 

 thus command from its master is no less 

 remarkable. It is commonly kej)t in a 

 lovely cage of superior workmanship, always 

 wrapped up with a piece of clean linen, 

 and taken out every evening for an airing. 



