10 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN BIRDS 



The above description will show that the black and 

 white markings of the plumage are similar to those 

 of the common magpie ; hence the popular name of 

 the bird — magpie-robin. If the distribution of the 

 magpie-robin happened to coincide with that of the 

 magpie, I have no doubt whatever that zoologists of 

 the school of Wallace would cite the dhayal as an 

 example of protective mimicry. They would tell us 

 that this robin had aped the dress of the powerfvd 

 magpie in order to dupe the crows and other bullying 

 birds that vex the lives of their smaller neighbours. 



As the magpie-robin dwells mostly where the magpie 

 is not found, no Wallaceian has attempted to explain 

 why its colouring is so like that of the magpie. As a 

 matter of fact, the magpie scheme of colouring seems 

 to be a popular one in nature (if I may be permitted 

 to use such an expression). It appear^ in seven species 

 which are in no way closely related one to another, to 

 wit, a goose, a crow, a tanager, a honey-eater, a 

 swaUow-shrike, a robin, and, of course, the common 

 magpie. 



The hen magpie-robin is brownish grey where her 

 lord and master is black, the pattern of her plumage be- 

 ing the same as his. 



The magpie-robin does not carry his tail as most 

 birds do, but goes about with it pointed to the sky. 

 This gives the bird a very sprightly appearance. Its 

 actions fulfil the promise of its looks. It is never still 

 for an instant. Now it descends to the ground, where 

 it hops about with tail erect, picking up here and there 

 tiny insects ; now it flies into a tree or bush, where 



