THE DAM A 167 



the year. But during the breeding season, 

 the spirit of romance finds expression in its 

 song which is its only means of courtship. 

 Its notes, so far as I have heard, are only 

 whistles, subdued but sweet. Foreigners 

 have spoken highly of it. Dr. Amsler wrote 

 in the Avicultural Magazine that its "song 

 is much sweeter and softer than that of our 

 Thrush, but is more reminiscent of that 

 bird than of the Blackbird". In the United 

 provinces specially, and in Northern India 

 generally, this bird is greatly prized as a 

 cage-favourite. It is a pity that in our 

 province, Bengal, it has received scant notice. 

 I strongly recommend it for better 

 consideration, and I am sure that those who 

 take interest in birds will come to love it, 

 specially as it can very easily be induced 

 to breed in captivity. Though it is shy 

 and secretive, it gradually shakes off fear 

 and becomes quite bold. 



In Bengal, it is known as the Dama 

 and its JSindustanee appellation is Puttoo. 

 Prom the colour of its crown, it derives its 



