280 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



purple, reddish brown, blackish brown, 

 or black. 



The bird is brought down to the 

 Calcutta bird-market in large numbers and 



finds a ready sale here. It is 

 Cage-life also frequently exported to 



Europe. It is a very great 

 favourite among all classes of people in 

 this country and no one has anything to 

 say against it. But Butler writes, "After 

 the first moult, all the rose colouring 

 disappears and is replaced by yellow ; 

 and there is nothing specially beautiful in 

 its song/' I have already said much 

 about its song. As to the first point I 

 must say that Butler's specimens were 

 either unhealthy or aged, for in such 

 birds, I have noticed the fading away of 

 the brilliant tints. He should not have 

 laid down a proposition from the study 

 of only two birds. If it were true that 

 all Rose-Finches lose their brilliant colour 

 in captivity and that they have nothing 

 specially beautiful in their song, 1 do not 



