176 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



returns to the hills in summer. From the 

 end of April to the end of June, it gives up 



its nomadic existence and goes 

 Nests and temporarily into camp. Forky 



branches of lofty trees, like 

 Oaks, Sal and wild Cherries, are its 

 favourite sites for bulding purposes. Nests 

 have also been found in forks in bamboo 

 clusters, shrubs, and low trees. The rest- 

 house or strictly speaking, the lying-in-room 

 of its mate is a big saucer of coarse dry 

 grass with a layer of green rock-moss 

 within. The exterior is sometimes 

 composed of dead leaves, a few twigs, pieces 

 of decayed bamboo, all knit together with 

 vegetable fibre. Very often, long dry 

 grass is skilfully inter-woven on the sides 

 and the strao:2:lino' ends of these hang down 

 from the bottom giving the nest a shaggy 

 appearance. From its life in the aviary, it has 

 been observed that the incentive to building 

 operations is given by the male, and the 

 female finishes off the lining. During the 

 last few days of building, and during 



