88 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 



will thrive on bread-and-milk also. I knew one 

 such which could not ultimately be distinguished 

 in beauty of plumage from a wild bird, though on 

 its first assumption of the adult plumage it was less 

 brilKant. This bird's brother distinguished himself 

 by a very intelligent performance. He watched 

 his opportunity and darted out when the door of 

 the aviary was opened, but returned in a day or so, 

 to stay contented for a short time and then repeat 

 his sudden exit, this time never to return. It looked 

 as if he were taking his bearings and learning how to 

 get a hving before he made up his mind to go ofE 

 altogether. The Coppersmith seems to make an 

 intelligent and interesting pet if hand-reared, but be 

 is not sociable with other birds, though not aggressive. 

 But, like Hannibal ChoUop, he requires a clear space 

 round him, and if he be crowded either with his own 

 species or with other birds, there will be trouble, for 

 barbets are hard bitten birds and tenacious of what 

 they conceive to be their rights ; indeed a couple of 

 wild Coppersmith have been seen to fight till one 

 was quite worn out. Steady persistence, in fact, 

 Seems to be the key-note of a barbet's character, 

 whether it be calling, eating, or fighting ; the young 

 birds start practising their note before they are fledged 

 and everyone knows with what relentless persistency 

 the old bird keeps up his banging on imaginary metal. 



