178 COMMON BIRDS OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



seven years, regularly tenanted by a widgeon during 

 the cold-weather months. The bird spent its first 

 winter as a captive with clipped wings in a tiny 

 and very dirty pool in the enclosure belonging to 

 a rhinoceros, but appreciated the security and 

 abundance of food so highly, that it returned year 

 after year with such regularity that its appearance 

 in its winter quarters used to be annually recorded 

 in the local newspapers along with that of dis- 

 tinguished cold-weather visitors to Calcutta from 

 Europe and the various hill stations. 



