My Indian Shamah.



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MY INDIAN SHAMAH.


By George B. Low.


The Indian Shamah is very well known to all aviculturists.

Amongst the many foreigners which come to us, there are probably

very few which can be kept with so little trouble, and possibly none

so delightfully tame and attractive in disposition, as well as charm¬

ing in appearance.


My bird, “ Bob ” (whose photograph is reproduced) possesses

a character and personality which quite separate him from any other

bird I have ever kept.


In common with, as I understand, practically all the

Shamahs in captivity, he was tame and confiding from the time of

his arrival, although nothing like so familiar as he has since become.


His song is extraordinarily varied, and particular bars are

reserved for certain purposes. For instance, “ Mealworms, please,”

is invariably expressed by certain notes not utilised at other times.


When the cage is opened in the morning for cleaning and

feeding purposes, my lively little “ pal ” generally manages to slip

out, and entertains me with one or two of his best selections from

the top of some picture or other point of vantage, until he considers

it time to return home for breakfast.


His powers of mimicry, like other members of his family, are

remarkable. A few mornings ago I was puzzled by a new whistle

which he produced loudly several times in succession, until I

remembered the starlings which are constantly whistling and

chattering in the trees outside the windows. He has also picked

up the not very musical squeak of a young Bock Thrush in the

next cage.


Charming and amenable as he is with human beings, I regret

to say “ Bob ” is a perfect tyrant where his own kind are concerned,

and always ready—not to say anxious—to tackle anything with

feathers on it. For this reason I have been obliged to keep him in

solitary confinement, and as he never dashes wildly about his cage

his plumage is always perfect.


It is difficult, even by the use of colour sensitive plates, to

differentiate between the blue-black of head and throat and the



