Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

32 BIRD-CATCHERS.

most Hindoos hold it criminal to kill a crow,
or even the meanest insect; and I have known
them carry the principle of preserving life to
the minutest insects, wearing crape or muslin
over their mouths and noses in the open air,
fearing a single animalcule that floats in the
air should be destroyed by their breath. For
the same reason, these men have every drop
of water strained through muslin before it is
used either for drinking or for cooking.

There are people who make it a profitable
means of subsistence to visit the jungles with
nets, in order to collect birds, as pigeons, par-
rots, minas, &c, these are brought in covered
baskets to the towns where they meet with a
ready sale.

Many a basket have I delighted in purchasing,
designing to rescue the pretty creatures from
present danger. I am annoyed whenever I see
birds immured in cages. If they could be
trained to live with us, enjoying the same
liberty, I should gladly court society with these
innocent creatures; but a bird confined vexes
me, my fingers itch to open the wicket and