THE DHAYAL 27 



The hen bn^d is not slow to follow her 

 mate's example, but if she flies, she keeps 

 aloof from her lord and loses herself amidst 

 dense cover. While at ordinary times the 

 Dhayal seldom indulges in protracted flights, 

 it has been observed to develop a tendency 

 for sustained serial gyrations in the mating 

 season. The female Dhayal is far less 

 obtrusive than the male, and as she has a 

 less striking appearance, she easily eludes 

 detection. In conformity with the etiquette 

 of pugnacious birds, she knows what distance 

 to keep between herself and her lord. This 

 explains why the males appear singly so 

 often, but if you take a little pain to watch 

 carefully, you are likely to detect its retiring 

 partner not very far off. The Dhayal is 

 conscious of its right to its territory and 

 tenaciously keeps to its hunting ground. 

 It is not timid. Pond of insects as it is, it 

 may be easily encouraged to closer familia- 

 rity with man, if we care to put now and 

 then a few grubs or disabled worms in its 

 way, or fix up in some safe place close to 



