THE KALI SHAMA 61 



the English Robin, j)erches on walls, 

 window-sills, housetops, and verandahs, and 

 sometimes, even enters houses. It is a very 

 familiar bird there, and is always to be 

 found in gardens, and old temples and build- 

 ings, seldom straying far from human habi- 

 tation. The sight of man does not ruffle it 

 in the least. In this respect it is a more self- 

 possessed bird than the Dhayal. The latter 

 bird has its own ideas about the safe distance 

 from which it will allow you to observe 

 its graceful movements. But the Indian 

 Robin is not so sensitive. If you stand 

 three or four cubits away, your presence 

 will not frighten it at all. It will, on the 

 other hand, proudly show off its beauty of 

 form and movement, and even display before 

 you its red trouser-patch by continually 

 sending up its tail over the back. It has a 

 very pleasant warble. ''Although not the 

 peer of its English cousin, it is not a mean 

 singer." In summer its song is vigorous. 

 In winter its performance has little charm. 

 It is not gregarious and lives with its mate, 



