192 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



will deceive a sportsman into the belief that 



he is in the proximity of a fellow-being. 



Miss Fitzgerald says that its 



Field whistle is exceedinojly like that 



Notes , ^ "^ 



of an idle schoolboy wandering 



through the woods, whistling no particular 

 tune. Some people assert that its whistle 

 is like that of an organ, very rich and 

 mellow. These whistles are sent forth with 

 such energy, in such a torrent-like un- 

 ceasing strain, that it seems as if the bird 

 is putting forth its last efforts and is going 

 to choke straight away. The song becomes 

 most musical and alluring in the spring 

 and is often indulged in while on the wing. 

 Both the male and the female begin to 

 sing a duet early at dawn, when it is still 

 dark, from some stream-overhanging rock, 

 continuing till day-light appears, when 

 they fly off to some torrent-girdled stone 

 in search of a breakfast. During the rains 

 Darjeeling and all other hill stations are 

 kept ringing with its never-failing melody. 



