212 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



Black-bird {31. klmiisi) occurs in larger 

 parties for we find it described as " collect- 

 ing in considerable flocks in the loftiest 

 trees, and while some greedily pluck the 

 berries from the top-branches, others 

 remain in the underwood beneath and reap 

 a harvest on those that fall," This habit 

 of flocking is probably due to the 

 abundance of favourite food in a particular 

 locality rather than the presence of any 

 social instinct. 



The Grey- winged Black-bird nests from 

 April to August, throughout the forest-clad 

 ranges of the Himalayas, at elevations 

 ranmno: between 5000 and 8000 feet. In 

 Kashmir it is known to breed almost on 

 snowline. On a foundation of 

 Eafs^ ^^ tlead leaves or fern it sets up a 



•&&'■ 



skeleton nest by twisting to- 

 gether a few coarse grass-roots thickly 

 plastered with mud. The outside wall is 

 then covered up thickly with a mass of 

 dry slender ferns and grass or other roots. 

 Over this, as a sort of paint, is used 



