THE DHATAL 2B 



defy you by a musical rebuke for thought- 

 lessly disturbing it at its midday meal. In 

 the evening when the day's labour is over, 

 it resumes its rapturous strain of music till 

 late at dusk. 



This habit of keeping early and late 

 hours is true also of the more retired Shama. 

 In fact, we observe many traits common to 

 both these birds. The Dhayal is as vora- 

 cious an insect-feeder as the Shama. It 

 seeks its prey near the ground and generally 

 selects the low branches of trees for perch- 

 ing, though it is not uncommon to find it 

 seated on the top of some large tree or other 

 elevated spots. In pugnacity, it is almost 

 a cousin-Q:erman to the Shama. Like all 

 pugnacious birds, the Dhayal is unsociable 

 to a degree, staying alone throughout the 

 greater part of the year, and only occasion- 

 ally in the company of its mate. 



Sometimes one may notice a deviation 

 from this habit of exclusiveness on the part 

 of the Dhayal. But this is seasonal only. 

 Prompted by a freshly roused combative 



