38 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 



more remarkable for noise than melody, and the nightin- 

 gale, with twenty centuries of reputation for music, is but 

 a poor nest-constructor compared with many hum- 

 bler birds. Another curious fact is that clever birds of any 

 sort display the infirmities of genius in a most marked way 

 by having nasty tempers ; song birds are generally soli- 

 tary, and a weaver colony admirably exemplifies the 

 definition of a sociable animal as one which always sits 

 within quarrelling distance of another. I fear that Durzee, 

 although belonging to a profession usually credited with 

 peaceful proclivities, comes under this indictment. He is 

 certainly only about the ninth part of a bird, but one 

 never sees two Tailor-birds together, unless they are hus- 

 band and wife or members of a family ; and oftener the 

 little artist is alone. Herein probably is the reason why 

 with habits so well calculated to preserve his species, he is 

 not more common ; two of a trade never agree, and Durzee, 

 like Cock Robin, has doubtless long ago learnt that a pri- 

 vate pitch is the first necessity of life, and that after a 

 time even the little apprentices must be compelled to move 

 into the next street. 



