THE CAGE-BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 569 



Tliey often prove but short-lived pets, and I am inclined to think that the 

 " satoo " diet is too rich for these fruit-eating birds, as they usually seem to 

 die in fits, and those I have handled have been very plump and heavy and 

 were probably unduly fat. Recently I saw one with a nearly white iris, the 

 only such specimen I have ever observed among a great number of 

 irdividuals from India and the Andamans. The smaller Talking-Mynah 

 (£. religiosa) is not often caged here, and I have seen no other bird of this 

 family in captivity. 



Family Sturnib^. 



As might be expected where the family is so well represented, the various 

 Starlings and Mynahs are often seen caged. Much the commonest of them is 

 the ordinary Acridotheres trisUs, which is even more commonly kept than 

 Eulahes intermedia, and sometimes talks nearly or quite as well. It also 

 becomes so tame that it may be allowed full liberty. I have seen several 

 more or less perfect albinos of this species in confinement ; two very curious 

 specimens are at present in the Calcutta Zoological Garden, for which I 

 procured them from Mr. Rutledge. Both were white when he first obtained 

 them, but one has now completely assumed the normal coloration of th a 

 species, and the other has partly done so. A similar phenomenon occurred 

 with a common Babbler {Craleropus canorus) recently in his possession which 

 unfortunately escaped. 



Another common Starling (Siztrnopas^or cowira) is frequently seen caged 

 and from its very sweet liquid notes is certainly better suited than any 

 other of its family for a pet. It does not appear to have been noticed that 

 the coloration of the soft parts of the young of this species is quite different 

 from that of the adult, the bill and legs being black, with the inside of the 

 former orange, while in old birds the legs are white and the bill orange and 

 white, with the inside of the mouth black. 



All the other common Indian Starlings may be seen at times caged in 

 Calcutta, namely: — Acridotheres ginginianus, JEthiopsarfuscus, Sturnus menz-- 

 hieri, Pastor roseus, Temenuchus pagodarum, and Sturnia malaharica. The 

 last two are known as Pawi, and this title is shared by Sturnia andamanensis , . 

 which is occasionally imported and is called " Sada Pawi," Sada meaning 

 " white." Gracidipica nigricollis is also brought in small numbers from China. 

 The male is a most amusing bird, with his habit of erecting his crest and 

 bowing and muttering to visitors. 



Family Mcscicapid^. 



The only Flycatchers I have seen in captivity here are Stoparola melanops 

 and Niltava sundara^ of which a few have been brought down from the- 

 North and have thriven very well on the saioo-and-maggot regime. 



Family Turdid^. 



As in other countries, the birds of this family are popular captives here. 

 In fact, if a census of the cage-birds of Calcutta were taken, I should expect 

 the Shama {Cittocincla macrwa) to come very near the head of the list, as it- 

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