THE KASTURA 209 



its hunt for insects it always pauses between 

 runs and hops, erect and watchful, fanning 

 out the tail with an up-jerk and appears to 

 be intently listening. The slightest rustle 

 would give it a scare and it would fly quick- 

 ly through thick bush- jungles stopping far 

 away from the spot where it was frightened. 



In Sikkim and in the district around 

 Darjeeling it is usually met with near soli- 

 tary Lepcha homesteads where it seems to 

 be semi-domesticated, but retains its shyness 

 and fear of man. What it seems to fear in 

 him is not his sight but his proximity. 



Though it does not pass its days in and 

 around the Jhoras like the Kastura, it 

 keeps to woody places not far from a Jhora, 

 For it is very fond of bathing and daily 

 repairs for this purpose to a stream or 

 cascade with marked regularity as soon as 

 the sun becomes fairly hot. 



Like the Whistling Thrush, again, it is 

 not fond of company. It is generally seen 

 singly except in May and June whan it 

 keeps in pairs. During the nesting season 



14 



