8 PKT BIRDS OF BENGAL 



temper makes it shun even the proximity 



of its unobtrusive mate, who wisely keeps 



aloof, and from a distance, takes silent pride 



in the vocal attainments of her enchanter. 



If, by inadvertence, she comes too near her 



lord, he forgets all codes of chivalry and 



does not even hesitate to give her a sound 



chastisement. 



The only season, when the Shama does 



not dislike the company of its mate, is when 



instinct obtains mastery over its temper in 



the mating period. It mates during April 



and June, and the female rears 



up the brood. Hollows in trees 

 Eggs ^ 



or stumps from two to twenty 



feet from the ground are selected by it for 

 nesting, and sometimes she takes advantage 

 of holes made by other birds. She stuffs up 

 the hollow with dry leaves about three in- 

 ches thick, and makes upon this bed of 

 leaves a loose nest of twigs and grass. The 

 eggs laid by her are usually four in num- 

 ber, rather small in size, and ovate in 

 shape. The ground colour is dull greenish, 



