146 
NATURE NOTES. 
AN EGYPTIAN PET. 
HEN I first heard that a lady in my neighbourhood 
possessed a live bulbul, my thoughts flew at once tO' 
“ Lalla Rookh,” with its visions of moonlight serenades, 
dark-eyed beauties, and all that surrounds the Eastern 
harem life. I had, in fact, only a vague notion that the bird 
was a sort of nightingale more or less resembling our own sweet 
woodland singer. I was, however, destined to know more about 
it, for it has come to pass that I have now the precious bulbul 
in my care whilst its owner is absent from her home. Possibly 
a few notes about such a rare bird may prove of interest to 
Selbornians. 
There are several species of the bulbul ; this particular one 
came from Egypt, and is often called the Persian nightingale 
(Pycwtus xanthopygius) . In appearance it is quite unlike an 
English nightingale. The head, throat, tail, and legs are jet 
black, the rest of the body being a uniform grey tint with a 
patch of bright yellow beneath the tail. In size the bird is 
between a starling and a robin, sleek of plumage, well built, 
full of activity and intelligence ; its black eyes with their pro- 
minent grey rims are ever on the watch for mischief of some 
kind ; evidently the bird’s active brain must find an outlet in 
action, and in consequence, when released from its cage, it is 
never still for a moment. 
Soon after five o’clock in the morning I open Bully’s cage 
door, and with a joyous whistle of delight the bird flies to me, 
and perching on my hand, invites attention by his quivering 
wings and low warbles of affection. Bully is like a parrot in 
loving to have his head and throat caressed ; while I tickle his 
plumage, he opens his beak quite wide as a token of apprecia- 
tion, softly holding my finger at intervals and pinching it more 
and more as if to ascertain how far I can bear the pressure 
without flinching. 
Whilst I am quietly reading, I can well observe the habits 
of this lively bird. He delights in turning over all he can find 
upon my toilet-table, and one by one, scissors and buttonhook, 
collar and cuffs, everything portable, is thrown down upon the 
floor. One morning 1 was surprised to see a sort of tropical 
butterfly careering through the air, but it was only Bully, 
chuckling with delight as he bore my lace tie round and round 
the room, evidently in great spirits at the amount of mischief he 
had already done in scattering my small properties, but now 
still more enjoying a triumphant flight with this new trophy. 
I only mention these trivialities to show the bulbul’s active, 
vivacious nature, and how he certainly can lay claim to the 
character of a very entertaining companion. 
1 cannot say the bulbul has a very pleasing voice ; its song 
consists of a great variety of loud clear whistles monotonously 
