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fastening the fire-fly to its nest, is the Bengal 

 grossbeak. It is very common in Hindostan, 

 where its Hindu name is bay a. It is remark- 

 able for its sagacity, its pendent nest, and its 

 brilliant plumage*. 



It is described to be like a sparrow in shape, 

 and in the colour of the back ; but the head and 

 breast are yellow. These birds make a chirping 

 noise ; but have no song. They associate in 

 large communities, and cover extensive clumps 

 of acacia and Indian fig-trees with their nests; 

 and also the palmeira, or wild date, on the leaves 

 of which the Bengalese children learn to write. 

 They prefer those trees which hang over a rivulet : 

 the nest is made of long grass, which they weave 

 almost like cloth, in the form of a large bottle. It 

 is divided into three chambers, and is suspended 

 firmly to a flexible branch, with the neck down- 

 wards, so as to secure the eggs and young from 

 serpents, monkeys, squirrels, and birds of prey. 

 The eggs of this little bird resemble large pearls. 



The baya is wonderfully sensible, faithful, and 

 docile, and never voluntarily deserts the place 

 where its young were hatched. It is easily 

 tamed, and taught to perch on the hand of its 

 master ; and may be taught to fetch a piece of 

 paper, or any small thing that he points out ; 

 and so great is its quickness and dexterity, that 



* See Forbes' Oriental Memoirs, and Asiatic Researches. 



