120 PET BIRI>S OF BENGAL 



ing out of that branch that may adjoin 

 the nest. 



Three is the usual number of a clutch 

 of eggs, which are broad ovals slightly 

 pointed at one end. The eggs, however, 

 vary a good deal in shape and colour. Their 

 ground-colour is grey or dirty white, but 

 some have a creamy tinge, with large brown 

 or reddish -brown streaky blotches more 

 numerous at the thick-end. 



Many an honest attempt has been made 

 to familiarise it with the cacre but all 

 attempts have so far been dis- 

 Cage-life appointing. When first caught, 

 the lora shows little shyness, 

 utters its characteristic call, and readily 

 takes insect and artificial food unlike many 

 newly-caught birds that disdain prepared 

 food. But the food apparently fails to 

 suit the bird which pines away soon. I 

 made several attempts to reconcile the lora 

 to captivity. Only a few lived appre- 

 ciably long, the majority perished within 

 a short time. Amonsr those that lived 



