168 BOMBAY DUCKS 



issue peremptory orders for the removal of the unsightly 

 tub. But, even while I shouted for the bearer, a myna 

 alighted upon the rim of the bath (which was nearly 

 full of water) and then proceeded to take a header into 

 the liquid element ! 



I had never seen a myna do anything like this before, 

 so a struggle took place within me between the naturalist 

 and the artist ; needless to say, the former prevailed. 

 The bath was allowed to remain and disfigure the garden. 

 In a few days it had become the recognized bathing 

 place and drinking fountain of the birds of the vicinity. 



The crows ruled the roost. When they came to 

 bathe, all the other birds had to make way for them ; 

 for, in the feathered world, the strong invariably take 

 precedence. Now crows, notwithstanding all their 

 bravado, are not courageous birds. Nothing will in- 

 duce one of their corui to plunge into water beyond 

 his depth. When it is a matter of bathing in one or 

 two inches of water the crow is as bold as the famous 

 Baltic Fleet. He will strut valiantly into the midst of 

 the shallow pool, flutter his wings, and even duck his 

 head in the water. But when it comes to a galvanized 

 iron bath, in which the water may be eighteen inches 

 deep, the crow behaves very differently. I never saw a 

 crow brave enough to trust himself to the abyss of my 

 bath. 



The modus operandi of the bather was to take a firm 

 grasp of the rim of the bath with both feet. He would 

 then, still gripping for dear life, plunge his head and 

 neck into the water and agitate them violently, and, at 

 the same time, flap his wings and wag his tail. By 



