THE DHAYAL 2o 



lime are attached to the cage. As soon as 

 the captive bird begins to sing, the wild 

 Dhayals while coming down to challenge the 

 newcomer perch upon the sticks and get 

 fastened to the bird-lime. Sometimes the 

 tame bird is taken out of the cage and tied 

 to a long piece of string. While combating 

 its wild antagonist, it holds the latter in such 

 a firm grip with its beak and claw that the 

 catcher has no difficulty in securing the 

 bird. 



The Dhayal is full of activity. Watch it 

 feeding on the ground in the alleys and by- 

 lanes of our countryside, you cannot fail to 

 notice its quick and animated movements. 

 With its wing half open or almost drooping, 

 it hops about in search of its prey, and at 

 each hop, stops with a jerk of its tail instant- 

 ly spread out and turned to the sky. If 

 cattle pass by at the moment, it flies up to 

 a low twig and keeps a sharp eye on any 

 insect or grub that may chance to be 

 brought to light. The moment it is noticed, 

 it comes down to snatch it up and after 



