64 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



a few grass-hoppers and maggots. I have 

 seen it partake of bread and milk with 

 evident relish. Like the Shama and the 

 Dhayal, it is devoid of commimal fellow- 

 feeling, but it is not as peevish and fretful 

 as they are. 



To be seen at its best, the Indian Kobin 

 requires elevated places inside the aviary. 

 Though not incapable of perching on twigs 

 and trees, it frequents, in nature, rugged 

 and elevated earth and rocky places which 

 are also its resting sites during sun-bath. 

 In the aviary the rockeries can amply serve 

 this purpose. It will skip in and out of the 

 holes as it does in its natural surroundings. 

 And as it silently runs about, its tail rises 

 up with mechanical precision. In the case 

 of this bird, the tail-movement appears to 

 have little or no connection with its emo- 

 tions as in the Piddah, or with its voice, as 

 in the Shama and the Blue-Jay. 



Confiding and courageous, it disdains to 

 fight shy of human intrusion. While enjoy- 

 ing the sun, of which it is inordinately fond^ 



