104 COMMON BIRDS OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



ing places in the hills at elevations of from 10,000 

 to 14,000 feet in summer, and only descending to 

 lower levels with the snow in winter. But, in 

 spite of this, it will live for years in seeming health 

 in the damp heat of Calcutta only a few feet above 

 the level of the Bay of Bengal. It is noteworthy 

 that two Himalayan organisms the snow-pigeon and 

 the dwarf juniper that thrive exceptionally well in 

 the lower delta of the Ganges, are not to be found 

 in the lower hills, but are natives of the inner ranges 

 on the confines of perpetual snow. Although all 

 Indian doves and pigeons are, in one way or other, 

 attractive in captivity, there is none of them to be 

 compared to the Kokila as a pet, by reason of its 

 refined beauty, dainty ways, and entrancing call a 

 call that is always refreshing to listen to, and that, 

 even in the worst of the stifling heat of a summer's 

 day in the plains, is enough to raise visions of the 

 cool hill-forests in which it is so often heard. 



