THE GULAB=CHASM 



( PYCTORHIS SINENSIS ) 



As a bird pet, Pi/ctorhis sinensis 

 possesHes special attraction for the bircl- 

 lover. It is gifted neither with any musical 

 skill of a superior order like the Shama, nor 

 with the Dhayal's pugnacious vivacity or 

 predilection for the neighbourhood of man, 

 but it possesses the virtues of a covfidante, 

 appreciating caresses from its master and 

 reciprocating them by song and dance and 

 a free use of its beak upon his body and 

 attire. Far from sulky, it readily courts 

 intimacy with its keeper, to whom it un- 

 reservedly babbles forth its affection and 

 gratitude. The amiability of its disposition, 

 its confiding song and dance, make it a 

 darling to its human friends. It is a perky 

 little bird, smaller than our domestic spar- 

 row, with a pretty long tail. Its livery of 

 rufous brown is not without its grace, tho- 

 ugh not striking in colours. This, together 



