10 PET BIRDS OF BEN GAL 



Care of its protector. If hearty cheerfulness 

 conduces to long life, it is no wonder that 

 the Shama stands a life of bondage so well 

 and so long. 



When accommodating the Shama, it 

 should be remembered that it is very rest- 

 less. It is always frisking about with its 

 tail working up and down. It should have 

 sufficient space inside the cage ; otherwise 

 its continual tail-play will injure that 

 beautiful appendage of its graceful person. 

 While introducing it into the aviary, it 

 should be kept in mind that this bird, how- 

 ever tame it may be, has a wonderful com- 

 bative temperament. The presence of 

 another Shama serves as a red rag to a bull. 

 It never condescends to accept others of its 

 kind as chums, and seems to think that the 

 latter are there to be its uncomplaining fags. 

 When in a warlike mood, its healthy opti- 

 mism would even lead it to give battle to 

 its keeper, if the latter were to enter 

 the aviary without the conciliatory dish 

 of mealworms. It carries its aloofness 



