www.vetripadi.com PROSE OUR WINGED FRIENDS -Excerpt from Zai Whitaker's ‘Salim Ali For Schools’ In Preparation Dr. Salim All, the Birdman of India, Is one of the world's most famous omithologists. He made many discoveries about Indian birds and wrote the “The Book of Indian Birds", which has become a classic. He also fought for the conservation of many important forests including the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan and the Silent Valley in Kerala. Read and think: Have you watched birds around you? People have done so for centuries! Birds seem to represent the spirit of freedom because they roam the skies. Birds which were once used as messengers are now often hunted and caged. Here ls apoemby an African Black American poet abouta caged bird. I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is brulsed and his bosom sore, When he beats his bars and would be free: Itis not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core, Buta plea, that upward to Heaven he flings — 1 know why the caged bird sings. Paul Laurence Dunbar bruised: hurt bosom ; chest bars: cage carol :sacredsong plea _—: request. flings: throws up Pte LE}ae GA a oO = iri www.vetripadi.com Many years ago in China, the government decided to kill the sparrows. They thought sparrows, destroyed the crops. But when all the sparrows had been killed, there was a huge explosion in the population of insects. The Chinese had forgotten that though the sparrows eat grain, they also eat Insects- many of which are pests that are the main enemy of the farmer. In the same way, the fishermen gnash thelr teeth at crocodiles because they eat up fish, especially the type we use to make curries. So, like birds, they may do a bit of harm to the humans, but _gnash- clash anger they also doa lot of good. Have you observed anything unique about any bird? ‘Write Itdown Crocodile ) Crocodiles are more than 200 million years ‘old. They play an important role in wetland environment. They also have a role in maintaining the balance in the complex web of they do not bite and most of them | ji¢4 are beautiful to look at. The songs L and colours of birds have inspired great poetry, music and art. But birds were not put con earth just for our enjoyment. They are one of the most important aspects in the environment. They are master pollinaters who transfer pollen from place to place. Many seeds do not germinate unless they are first eaten and digested by birds. So they are wonderful seed carriers too. This way birds help in the growth of forests. Every bird plays a unique part in its habitat. Some birdsllkelivingnearstreams, someintrees | Se™inate - sprout unique - special and cities. But many species of birds are | pti) perplexed and alarmed that human beings seem Birds have lovely calls and songs,www.vetripadi.com to encroach upon their habitat. When we greedily chop down old forest trees, for example, bole-nesting birds become homeless. The Malabar hombill, one of our most spectacular and Interesting birds, nests in boles of old, tall trees in evergreen forests. The male hombill lacks’ his wife and babies inthe nest by covering the opening with mud. He leaves a small kitchen - doorway through which he feeds his family with ‘ious treats. - intrude bole - tree trunk spectacular - very Impressive This way, the chicks are safe from predators but get their daily meals and snacks on time. But old forest trees are becoming rare. The smugglers are cutting them down for their valuable wood, others are clearing forests for the kind of What are some of the ‘development like extending cities, widening dangerous reasons for cutting highways, plying with faster cars that create more pollution. down the trees? ‘Thus we destroy not only birds and other wild creatures but also ourselves. By destroying Nature we are destroying ourselves. predators- animals that kill and eat other animals _ We know so much more today about birds, largely because of Dr. Salim Ali Khan and his associates. We know about the behaviour of different species. We know their special calls or their songs. We also know the places where they are likely to be found. For example, the Tem, which looks like an origami [Japanese art of folding paper so as to make different forms] project, Is a beach and ocean freak, and will not be found in forests. The star singer, the shame, meses enthusiast for however, sticks to its|unusual things thick foresthome. (Tern — | Hom Bill — fu) Zz Q a G aeen = a o F ir] www.vetripadi.com Yetso much Is still to be discovered; to increase our knowledge as well as to help conserve certain rare species. Because of the overuse of pesticides, some birds are becoming rare. Can you guess why? The chemicals in the pesticides make the egg shell thinner, which breaks before the chick is ready to hatch. Many counties have banned the use of Canned prohibited) certain pesticides which are dangerous to birds. In India, SSS" many birds which were once common in certain areas are disappearing. We need tofind outwhy anddo something about it- quickly. lal Pad!) Ifyou are interested in birds, you too can help in the very important effort to study and conserve birds. You can do this even if you are a young student-in fact all the better, as you can be more active and travel more miles than the older bird watchers. Unlike many hobbies, this is not an expensive one, and can be done anywhere. You may live near the sea orin the mountains or neara forestor even in the middle of the city. The good news about birds is that they are always around! If you can get a pair of binoculars, that's great! But a pair of young eyes would suffice. Keep a small notebook and pencil or pen to write down every observation meticulously, starting with the date, time and location ofthe birds you see, ‘And, of course, you need a reference book and the best one is ‘The Book of indian Birds’. Make a bird list every time you go on a bird walk, AS et you become more and more interested, OEIC try and find other bird watchers you can go meee eee ities and even small towns, now have a bird watching club. You can join one and pursue your hobby. You will soon be able to identify the vagaries of different birds. If you are interested enough, you could well be another Salim Ali, Happy Bird Watching! Interested to know more aboutbirds? Log onto www.birding.inwww.vetripadi.com LET US REMEMBER: 1. Why did the government of China decide to kill sparrows?" ! ee ‘The 2. What happened when they did so? 3. Why do fishermen get angry with crocodiles? 4. Why are birds important in the web of life? 5. How do we know so much about birds today? m z Q = GQ se 6. How does the Malabar Hombill feed its young ones? 7. What does the writer feel, It is possible for every young person to do? Write three sentences. LET US UNDERSTAND: Discuss and share in small groups! 1. Whydoweneedto.co-exist with other species on this planet? 2. Inwhatway have we encroached upon the habitat of birds? 3. Why does the author compare chopping trees to destroying your own home?