THE GULAB- CHASM 89 



or two insects from your hand. It is a 

 bird with plenty of go in it, and while in a 

 cheerful mood, it indulges in a dance which 

 is indeed a treat to see. If two birds in 

 two separate cages are placed near each 

 other, they always respond to each other's 

 call. With the first streaks of light at 

 dawn, when one of the birds would break 

 into soft music before the other ])ird is astir, 

 the latter at once takes up the strain, 

 and the two sing a duet for a considerable 

 time. 



The habit of responding to the calls 

 of its kindred betrays the Yellow-eyed 

 Babbler into bondage. As it retires into 

 dense cover on the approach of man, it 

 becomes difficult to locate its position. 

 Indian bird-catchers take a caged bird to 

 places frequented by these birds, and when 

 the former calls out, the wild one cannot 

 resist the temptation to respond. As soon 

 as the catcher has ascertained its position, 

 he uses his long poles smeared with bird- 

 lime. At times, wh n a bird is lucky 



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