242 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



account of its restricted range which, 

 if not altogether outside Bengal, merely 

 touches the western fringe of its present 

 political boundaries. As Wagtails are 

 never popular cage-birds, they are seldom 

 caught and are hardly available for ex- 

 portation. Consequently, the qualities 

 of Motacilla maderaspate7ms are a sealed 

 book to the European aviculturist, who 

 has thus been deprived of the acquaint- 

 ance of a really efficient singing bird. 

 For, as a chorister, the Khanjan in 

 question is as much superior to its 

 kindred as the canary to the sparrow. 

 Its notes possess a sweetness and cadence 

 like those of the Dhayal, though with- 

 out the latter's variety. An English 

 gentleman says, "A more cheerful and 

 engaging little pet it would be difHcult 

 to imagine, to say nothing of its singing 

 powers which, in my opinion, excelled 

 those of a canary." It is such a charming 

 bird that it can not fail to recommend 

 itself to the most fastidious of avicultur- 



