THE BHIMRAJ 233 



clred is typically honnish, it is a marvel 

 of good conduct with its keeper. With 

 him, the bird is perfectly sociable and 

 its knowing and intelligent ways afford 

 him a efreat deal of amusement. It loves 

 to be noticed and fondled and is never 

 so happy as when carried about on the 

 finger and petted. Under the fostering 

 and almost paternal care of its keeper, 

 its naturally robust disposition gets full 

 play to develop all its good points. A 

 life of captivity does not at all dull its 

 talents. Its power of mimicry not in- 

 frequently enables it to indulge in fun at 

 the expense of other birds. A Bhimraj 

 was known to frighten a Shama by mew- 

 ing like a cat. As a ventriloquist, it gives 

 the palm to no Indian bird. It can 

 render with perfect fidelity, and perhaps 

 with added charm, not only the songs 

 of other birds within hearing, but various 

 other sounds. It can yelp like a puppy, 

 mew like a cat, bleat like a lamb, and 

 imitate the voices of poultry. 



