THE PIDDAH 



( PRATINCOLA CAPRATA ) 



The Piddah, otherwise known as Fratin- 

 cola caprata, is a very wee, Httle bird. Its 

 popularity is in an inverse ratio to its dimi- 

 nutive size. It is not an unworthy minstrel 

 of the Indian countryside. Considering its 

 tiny body, the sweet and pleasant warble 

 produced by its subtle mechanism is a marvel 

 which makes it highly esteemed as a cage- 

 bird. Though its song has not the power, 

 volume, and compass of either the Shama or 

 the Dhayal, it is still beautifully sweet. 

 Foreigners, too, have not been chary in their 

 praise of its song. Blyth states that *4ts 

 song approaches to that of the English 

 Robin, but is more uniformly plaintive". 

 Its sprightly movements and courageous 

 demeanour are no less its attractions. It is 



