and the Dhyal Bird 93 



will sing well, and that won't fidget too much. I had 

 some little birds, some sort of waxbill, or something 

 like that, and they fidgeted so dreadfully ; but I must 

 get something, for I am devoted to birds." 



All this time, I try to get a word in edgeways. 

 I omit mentioning to what sex my inquirer belongs, 

 trusting that no one will discover. 



You laugh ! Why should any one ? When you 

 have to guess over two things, there is always a chance 

 that you may pick on the wrong one, like the merry- 

 thought bone of a chicken ! 



Well ! perhaps I suggest a crested pou-pou, or a 

 spotted popinjay, or some other mischievous inven- 

 tion of my ornithological brain. " Oh ! that sounds 

 very curious and rare. I've heard of a Hoopoe, but 

 never of a pou-pou ; what a curious name ! Do tell 

 me all about it. Does it eat seed, and does it sing ; 

 I want a small bird, you know." Then I have to 

 pull myself together, saying that after all perhaps the 

 crested pou-pou wouldn't do, as it feeds chiefly on 

 mice and cocoa-paste ! ! 



So I suggest African singing finches, or pope 

 cardinals, &c. But, for all that, I still maintain that 

 a shama would be no more trouble, and far more 

 pleasurable. 



Nowadays dealers, such as those who are repre- 

 sented by the Century Bird Stores l — (no ! I don't owe 

 them anything, except gratitude — so there !) — As I 

 was saying, some dealers make most excellent food for 

 insectivorous birds, all ready prepared and dished up in 



1 43 Bedford Hill, Balham, S.W. 



