I noticed a family of Babblers, most likely Jungle Babblers, visiting our garden regularly. On most occasions, some of them come to spots where there are fruits.
I spotted one of them, perched opposite a bush with ripening berry, in the corner of the garden, growing under the foliage of the other trees. The berries are in the ripening stage, although only few in number. Usually the Barbets find this berry fruit.
I sensed that the Babblers are in the garden for food. We placed banana in the bowl next to the water bath. Now they flock to feed from them in the morning and evening.
One experience with new visiting birds, is the way they adjust to the other birds who are regular visitors. The Bulbuls and Magpie robins who come to the bird bath regularly still come, although they may have to wait in the adjacent tree for their turn till Babblers leave.
I find the distributive justice practiced her by the avians. Every one has an equal opportunity. They practice by sharing and not by acquiring and denying others to have their share.
These small birds are unlike, the big birds who are possessive and aggressive. I have seen crows chasing away squirrel from the papya fruit. I have seen Bulbuls, Babblers and Magpie robins engaging in bird calls, while feeding, to announce to other birds about the food, they found.
There is something in the avian behaviour which surprises me! Even when food is scarce, they do not give up their sharing habit!
We live in an environment, where mindfulness for others is on the decline! Every time there is a special occasion at their home, a neighbour brings food to us.
I keep wondering, whether the down side of modern way of living is obsession with self!
When we no longer feel for the needs of others, we have lost the link that makes us human.
When there is violence and loss in Manipur, the central government does not act effectively! To me, it is on account of preoccupation with everything else at the cost of mindfulness!
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
No comments:
Post a Comment