200 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



difficult to describe. The ground is pale- 

 greenish or greyish-white, freckled, either 

 thinly or thickly, with various shades of 

 pinkish-brown specks. Most eggs have a 

 cloudy purplish-pink zone or cap at the 

 large ends. 



This Kastura is not easily available in 

 Calcutta. It is a big bird and best housed 

 in an aviary, but never with 

 Cage-life smaller birds. For it is a flesh- 

 eater, and though in its wild 

 life it does not generally prey upon small 

 birds, it develops in the aviary ( it is 

 invariably so if the bird is hand-reared 

 from a nestling) quite a murderous propensity 

 against them. In the absence of an aviary a 

 big cage is always preferable. 



The best food for it would be insects, 

 shrimps and crabs. Snails and cockroaches 

 are regarded by it as dainties. The ordi- 

 nary Satoo mixture, too, is not disregarded. 

 Occasional fruit-rations are highly appre- 

 ciated. It enjoys a dip in water immensely 

 and a bath in the aviary will help to brace 



