MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FISH

Stray cats are on the prowl in our lane. Residents feed them a variety of food. From Roti to bread and milk is their diet. The way they are bloating is an indicator of their health.

They have been also feeding on the roti we spread for the birds. They eat roti only in case of an emergency. It is birds the cats are after. We haven’t seen them catching one but knowing cat behaviour, they would not miss a chance.

What I do not appreciate is that they jump into the grain bowl. It is a shallow earthen pot hung with wires on a protrusion of a dried branch. Even if there are ten birds feeding on the feeder, it doesn’t shake. Imagine, when a big chubby cat jumps onto it. They have dropped that pot several times and broken it.

We do not mind cats basking on our veranda chairs, but how does one tell the cats not to leave the birds alone. Like the birds are looking for a meal, so are the cats. Nothing like a juicy sparrow or a bulbul or a fat dove.

These cats were not only trying to catch birds but were also trying to paw out fish from the tubs. This also was not excusable. Many fish have bred in this cold. The temperature has been regulated to their liking. I won’t allow a cat to fish them out. However, when we are not around, they must be pulling a few out.

Fish are smart. They know the difference between a ‘good touch and a bad touch’. They congregate when they see us because they get fish food. Moment, they get startled by a jerky movement; they dive down and hide, surfacing one by one when the coast is clear.

While trying to fish, cats sometimes have fallen into a tub which is quite embarrassing for a cat. They hate water. Falling in a tub of water must be enough for them to draw their lessons.

During Christmas week which has now spilled into the New Year, I noticed that the big fish in the tank were not there. They must be hiding at the bottom somewhere, I thought. Due to so many engagements, one didn’t have time to give the tubs a thorough inspection.

On new year’s eve as I was sitting and sipping my cup of tea in the drawing room before feeding the fish, I heard a loud splash in one of the tubs. I had to check it out. The first blame had to be pasted on the cats.

Water had definitely splashed, but who was the culprit? Just then a cat hiding under the pot stand scampered. I made noise for it to scoot. My mind was now thinking how to make the fish safe from cats.

This evening with a cup of tea in hand, I sat enjoying my evening ritual. Leftover Rum cake is a good accompaniment to the beverage. Then there was a loud splash again and I saw something from the side of my eye. It was definitely not a cat. Could it be a bird which had fallen in the tub inadvertently?

It was time for a dekho. Just then I heard a loud call of the Kingfisher sitting on a tree stump right infront of our house. I knew that he was stealing fish from the tubs on the roof from his vantage point on the lightning conductor. He is often found loitering there.

I took a few photos of this beautiful bird both from the ground and the roof. Never did I suspect him to dive in the fish tubs downstairs. As I was photographing it, the Kingfisher dived into the veranda, then there was a splash which I heard loud and clear followed by a scuffle. My wife saw the kingfisher distinctly sitting on the backrest of the veranda chair.

When I returned to the ground floor, things came to light. A dove was agitated over the kingfisher taking her perch. So, the Kingfisher changed to a bare branch as a staging point. As it dived towards the tub, a cat was in wait and pounced at it. Off flew the kingfisher, and so did the cat, scaring all the birds around.

The cat missed the kingfisher by a whisker and my fish got saved by two whiskers. However, on a deep inspection I found a few of our favourite fish missing. Now I knew who was the culprit.

Finally, the mystery of the missing fish was solved. We shall place a mesh over the tubs in the veranda asap. However, I want to watch the Kingfisher in action.

https://youtu.be/rtkJDLL8LGA

Will Mr Malya the Kingfisher return tomorrow? I wonder!!!!!!!