India, June 29 -- British ornithologists of the Raj found Indian birds enigmatic. To them, the Indian robin combined boldness and suspicion in the same ounce of feathered frailty. Further, unlike the British robin, the Indian namesake preferred to sport its red not on its chest but tactically tucked under a longish, active tail. The Indian fellow is not quite so modest and does not hesitate to cock his tail well forward over the back to display the chestnut hues adorning the vent, especially when his fair lady may be tempted to take a peek or a rival male threatens sovereignty!

To this, I may add that the Indian robin is one whose temperament succumbs to bouts of puzzlement and curiosity, and will dare his life and limb to put his convul...