Song for the morning

NANCY JOHNSON

The Indian Magpie Robin is a neat and trim looking bird, plumper and bigger than the sparrow and about the size of a bulbul. It is glossy black and white and has a well-dressed look. The bird's neck, chest and upper parts are a shiny black, and the lower part white. The bird's wing is black with a white patch close to the body.

Another characteristic feature of this bird is its graduated long tail, central portion of which is black and the rest white and it is held upright. The tail is frequently lowered and spread out like a fan and in a moment gathered and jerked up again over the back. This movement usually accompanies its beautiful song. This bird is a songster.

The robin, is common in the plains and gardens, picks insects and occasionally feeds on flower nectar. It is a joy to see this garden bird with cocked tail and a pleasure to hear its lusty song especially in the early morning. The female bird is less attractive, the black of the male being replaced by brown. There is also a slightly smaller robin, the Indian Robin which is also a black bird with a smaller white patch on the wing and a rust coloured patch under its cocked tail. This robin also frequents plains, scrub country, towns and villages.

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