JOCOSE SHRIKE. 307 



small bright crimson spot, and across the breast a 

 brown bar. Native of China, India, Persia, &c. 

 and sometimes called by the name of Bulbul: of 

 a lively disposition and agreeable manners. It 

 has been generally considered as the celebrated 

 Bulbul or Persian Nightingale, so often comme- 

 morated in the works of Hafiz, Sadi, and other 

 Persian poets. This however seems not clearly 

 ascertained^ and the name Bulbul, usually trans- 

 lated Nightingale, seems to be applied in different 

 parts of India and Persia to very different birds. 

 What appears certain of the present species is, 

 that it is often taught to fight by the natives of 

 Bengal, one being held up opposite to another on 

 the hand of a man to whose finger the bird is 

 fastened by a string, sufficiently long to enable it 

 to fly and peck at its adversary. It is said to be of 

 a remarkably docile disposition, and is sometimes 

 carried by the young Indians in order to execute 

 little commissions of gallantry; and at a signal 

 given by the lover. Mall seize and carry off with 

 much dexterity the small gold ornament usually 

 worn on the head of a young Indian lady, and 

 convey it to its master. It will also, with admir- 

 able celerity, follow the descent of a ring purposely 

 thrown down a deep well; catching it in its fall, 

 and returning it to its owner. The Persian poets 

 represent the Bulbul as enamoured of the rose, 

 and grieved or angry at seeing it rudely cropped. 

 Whatever may be said by poets and unscientific 

 observers, Mr. Pennant has not scrupled to de- 

 clare his opinion, that the uatui'al note of this 



