380 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 
together that it is easy to understand the statement that 
has been made to the effect that the cocks have no song. 
They do sing, however, but the music they turn out is so 
excruciating that it is not appreciated as such. 
The hen weavers only lay two or three eggs, white in 
colour. The young are easily reared on satoo-paste, and, 
when full-fledged, will eat the ordinary bird-seeds. Thus 
treated, they become delightfully tame, will follow one 
about, and perch on one’s head. I once lost two 
young birds of the Eastern species which I was rear- 
ing, they having flown out of the window. They were 
away all that night and all next day and night. But 
on the morning following, I was in the street just 
outside of the compound and saw them flying over- 
head. I called tothem, and they came down close and 
allowed me to catch them with very little trouble. Birds 
like this can easily be tamed to live free about a 
garden, though some will inevitably be lost in the train- 
ing, as all are not equally clever. 
Native bird-trainers perform wonderful feats with 
trained Bayas, teaching them to fire a cannon, fetch and 
carry, and soforth. The Hastern Baya, which is the only 
species living near Calcutta, is only of use for training or 
keeping as a pet. It is too dull for an aviary bird, though 
the handsome yellow-breasted Western Bayais very suitable 
for this purpose. This species is the only one found in the 
Bombay market, and a good many specimens are brought 
down to Calcutta from Lucknow, but usually only cocks. 
Anyone wishing to keep Weavers should get about a, 
dozen—pairs if possible—and give them plenty of room. 
