26 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



beating it to death, returns with it to its 

 former perch. Always in motion, it raises 

 and depresses its body accompanied by 

 a flirtation of its tail. This tail-play is 

 most in evidence durin^j the matins: season 

 and specially at the time when several of 

 Dhayals are engaged in fighting out their 

 duels. The display consists in expanding the 

 tail like a fan so as to show the white outer 

 feathers, and continually jerking it up and 

 down. Although far from shy, the bird 

 likes the security of a thicket and revels in 

 the shade. While warily working its \\'ay 

 along the hedge, it betrays its presence by 

 uttering its shrill note every now and then. 

 It seldom sings in full view of man whose 

 sudden intrusion would check its flow of 

 vocal music ; and when thus interrupted, 

 it assumes a still attitude, fixing its cold 

 look upon him. If you advance nearer, it 

 will fly up to a higher perch or a more 

 distant twig. When flushed, it is seen to 

 fly directly from its perch in the cover of 

 the thicket to a more remote hiding place. 



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