on some habits oj the Kokla in confinement. 135


birds in confinement showed the most intense aversion to descend

from their perches, and would never do so if they coitld possibly help

themselves. Moreover, for years past, I have been closely observ¬

ing the various species of Green Pigeons, and must have shot, at

one time or another, some hundreds of them, for they are good

table birds, but have never up to this seen a single one on the

ground. And what is more, I have never yet seen one in the wild

state drinking water. Natives are by no means poor observers,

and I must confess that it seems to me, while rejecting most of

their story, that there are good grounds for thinking that Green

Pigeons are seldom seen on the ground, and the probabilities are

that most of them iive without drinking. That some species of

birds do live and thrive without water there can be no possible

doubt. Bartlett, in his “ Wild Beasts in the Zoo,” instances

several such cases. All the known species of Parrots can be

kept in captivity for years without water and “continue in the

most robust health and beautiful feather condition.” The little

Parrakeets, which are exported from Australia in thousands,

thrive without water and arrive at their destination in splendid

condition “ if kept 011 Canary seed only.” Writing in 1881,

Bartlett remarks: “ At the present moment may be seen at the

Parrot House of the Zoological Gardens, a Greater Vasa Parra-

keet, presented by the late Mr. Charles Telfair, July 25th, 1830;

therefore this bird has lived in the Society’s possession 51 years

without being supplied with water. It must be borne in mind

that the food supplied to birds of this kind is pretty moist, etc.”

In conclusion, Bartlett adds that he once saw a large collection

of Indian Quails in the very finest state of health, that had had

no water since they left India, and the only food which had been

supplied to the birds was dry millet seed.


Since writing these notes, I think it only right to mention

that my friend, Mr. T. G. B. Waugh, has informed me that early

one morning, while watching for deer in the Ambala Division,

he saw a Green Pigeon, probably Crocopus chlorogaster , settle at a

small stream, and drink water.


( To be continued).



