BIRDS AND THEIR PARLOURS 159 



many of the birds. Finches seem to bathe very 

 rarely in water; they prefer the dry shampoo with 

 sand. Whippoorwills have regular "public baths" 

 in sandy roads, where they congregate late of eve- 

 nings or on moonlight nights to bathe. Sparrows 

 spend a large part of the day in dust bathing. 

 Often a score of these carefree city dwellers will 

 locate a particularly attractive spot, and roll and 

 flutter in the fine dust as they chatter and chirp to 

 one another. 



Doves are more modest and seek a quiet sand- 

 pile underneath a pine-tree or in a deep gulley, 

 where no one wiU see them bathe. Partridges have 

 a very thorough manner of dust-bathing. They 

 carefully choose a place that is dry and free from 

 grass or other vegetation; scratching a shallow hole, 

 each rufHes its feathers energetically, and with every 

 sign of keen enjoyment rolls and tumbles in the 

 dust. A covey of partridges will select a bathing 

 ground where each individual has its ovm particular 

 dust hole to which it returns each day. 



The bird of paradise seeks a shower-bath when- 

 ever it is possible, and if this is not convenient, he 

 plunges into a pool of water or running stream. 

 After his bath he perches on the high branch of a 

 tree, and there dries his exquisite plumage. "The 

 body then assvimes an almost erect position, the feet 



