THE SHAMA 15 



cular as ''Gopeejee rojee bhejo' (Send us 

 our daily bread, ! Gopeejee). These 

 sounds are repeated a great number of times 

 and then suddenly changed. Its imitative 

 faculty knows no bounds. It can mock any 

 bird to perfection and can faithfully render 

 the voices of cocks, crows, and kites. Even 

 the female Shama is not altogether devoid 

 of song. My own specimen sings as beauti- 

 fully as the male and repeats the above- 

 mentioned set phrahjes. It is no wonder 

 therefore that in some countries, the bird 

 is called '' Sundred-TonguedJ* 



In India the Shama is housed in a cage 

 which is generally kept covered. But the 

 aviary with plenty of space, air, and light 

 is the best place for keeping it. It may 

 be rough in its dealings with its own 

 kind, but it seldom gives trouble to others 

 of the avian community. If you care for 

 its cheerfulness, you should always provide 

 for the luxury of a bath, for this bird is 

 inordinately fond of , a dip in water. It is 

 curious that if there be two male Shamas in 



