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

[1st variety of KARETU BIRDS]
(KARETU)
The Karetu birds resemble Chataka birds. They are black like
crows but the ends of their wings are white in colour. Some have
various dots. They would, collectively, fly very swift in the sky. They
live in shades and by the sides of water. Their cry is, rather, unplea-
sant and they are ungrateful.
[2nd variety of KAKARETU BIRDS]
(KARETU)
This kind of Karetu bird is a little tall. They are either white,
black, brown or of various colours. They are not fair in appearance.
They have long beaks, long necks and legs. They have broad wings-
with rough feathers. Their cry is very unpleasant. They swiftly fly
high in the sky. They often quarrel amongst themselves. They would
fight with smaller birds and injure them unnecessarily. They are un-
fit for training and bad smell would be coming out of their bodies.
They live always in forests and invariably, eat flesh. The Karetu and
Kar-Karetu birds should not be trained and kept in houses. Their
utmost age is 2 years. Owing to nature and creed, they are called
Tamasa-Adhama or inferior in 3rd class.
— 124 —