146



G. E. Low,



The avian sights viewed from the car windows that were of

a thrilling nature were confined to those portions of the journey

that were between Bombay and Calcutta, and to that which lies

eastward of Benares. Westward of that place the plains soon became

drier, then drought-stricken, and with increasing aridity the number

of birds decreased. East of Benares the level green fields were in

all directions very much alike. There was no lack of water, but

rather an excess of it. From the many ponds by the track-side were

startled huge birds : Vultures, Storks, and Herons, sometimes singly,

again in flocks. Often the train rushed past stupid-looking birds of

a smaller species, standing in the wayside pools. These grey,

obscure-appearing creatures frequently took flight, whereupon from

the grey unobtrusive forms there arose visions of white loveliness,

that floated off a short distance, then suddenly sank into the earth—

apparently—for the birds had alighted and were a dull, concealing

grey once more. Here in truth were the “ Surprise Birds ”! for

these were Pond Herons, sometimes called Paddy-birds (Ardeola

grayi).



CURIOUS DEATHS OF SHAMAHS.


By G. E. Low.


Last autumn, to my great regret, I lost my hen Shamah (who

had reared eleven young in the season 1917), by a very unusual

accident.


The door of my aviary is about 3 inches thick, with double

wire netting, a provision against cats. It opens outwards, and is

governed by a steel spring. I had left the aviary, and the door was

closing by the force of the spring, when I was just conscious of

something dashing at the hinge—presumably to secure an earwig—

and in the same instant a little fluttering corpse lay on the ground,

cruelly crushed by the leverage of the door. This tragic end was

a great grief to me.


Even for a Shamah, she was exceptionally tame and wholly

attractive. In the breeding season this little mother never wasted

any time. When one brood left the nest she immediately got busy



