One word more on the unfortunate widower, who kindly offered consolation to the duck when overwhelmed with grief: she in a most ungrateful manner informed her drake of the impudent and gallant proposals he made to her during his absence;—it is merely supposition that she did so; but at all events the result was, that the recovered drake attacked the other, the day subsequent to his return, pecked his eyes out, and inflicted on him so many other injuries, as to occasion his death in a few days. Thus did this unfortunate drake meet with a premature and violent death for his kindness and attention to a disconsolate lady. It may perhaps be correctly written on a tablet over his grave—“_A victim to conjugal fidelity._” Several of the beautiful Nicobar pigeons are also in the aviary, and are usually seen perched upon the trees, even upon the loftiest branches. They build their rude nests and rear their young upon trees, similar to all the pigeon tribe. They usually come down to feed upon the ground, but return to their elevated situation to repose during the night and most part of the day. Their plumage is of a splendid bronze, and their shape most graceful; but the long loose plumage pending from the breast, which they seem to delight in ruffling out, in some degree conceals their beauteous form, as seen in others of the tribe who have a smoother and more delicate plumage. These birds inhabit Sumatra, Nicobar, and other islands forming the eastern archipelago.[24] Two elegant peacock pheasants from Cochin China; the jungle cock and hen from Java; the bright scarlet cardinal; the crested partridge from the Malay peninsula; the pretty and delicate Java sparrows; several of the Chinese water-fowl; and numerous doves, adorn and enliven this interesting place.[25] A beautiful pink cockatoo, from the eastern islands, attached to a hanging perch, is placed near the aviary; and a large, elegant Persian cat, with fur of a most delicate silky texture, is seen attached by a long string to a tree. The docile creature reposes during the fine sunny weather upon the grass-plot in front of the aviary. The two latter are removed into the house at night, and placed in the garden during fine and serene weather.