मृगपक्षी-शास्त्र (हंसदेव - १३वीं शती का अमर भारतीय वन्यजीव, पक्षी एवं प्राणि-विज्ञान)

pleasure with their young ones, and comrades in cool places and
gardens. They come out of eggs according to their sins committed in
their past births. Though they come out of eggs, they are very clever
and do things more beautifully and completely than human beings.
The birds are called the best decorations of high buildings mansions
palaces, and houses etc,. All kinds of birds enjoy with female birds of
different species in different ways and give pregnancy to them in their
prime youth. After pregnancy, female birds lay eggs and sit on them
for some days to give warmth. They understand when young ones get
life, and pierce eggs with their beaks. They protect them (young ones)
by giving them food for some time. Till they get wings to fly, they
take food brought by their mothers and play with them. After they
get their wings they try to fly with their mothers in the sky for some
time till they get full strength. There are innumerable varieties of birds
living in forests. Generally they sleep at nights only. They create
animal passion to young human couples by their actions. They could
easily be caught by nets in their early periods and trained well. They
must be caught and tamed. Our ancestors say “Those who do not
tame and protect birds by giving food, are unfit to live on the surface
of the earth.” Amongst all, swan are most superior birds. Hence the
description of swan is first mentioned below:—
[1st variety of SWAN]
(HAMSA)
There are 7 kinds of swan. Swan of these kinds are called
Hamsa. They are very beautiful with white wings. Generally, they live
in lakes lotus ponds and big wells, and upon good fruits, lotus
— 78 —