EXTRACTS FROM AN ANONYMOUS JOURNAL. 65 



of Princes Island the Paradise of the Grey Parrots, and 

 of the habits of the latter in that place. 



" On Princes' Island there is a very lofty mountain, 

 reaching some 1200 feet above the level of the sea, and 

 called by the natives Tico de Papagaio,' or Peak of 

 Parrot. On the slope of this mountain, and extending 

 far up its sides, is a magnificent forest. The trees are 

 of great size and height, and their trunks and branches 

 give support to the lianas and other climbing plants, 

 which hang about them in rich luxuriant folds. The 

 density of the forest is so great that it is only with the 

 utmost difficulty and toil that the explorer can force a 

 passage through it, while to the Parrots, who come there 

 every night, it presents no obstacle, but gives them, 

 under the shelter of its thick foliage, a secure and 

 pleasant resting place." 



"As sun-set draws on, the Parrots may be seen in 

 parties winging their way for the mountain from all sides 

 of the island, and on reaching it, take their places on 

 the trees. Approaching troops acquaint their fellows 

 of their coming by a loud whistling. Those who have 

 found an approved resting-place warble and whistle as 

 long as day light continues, but as darkness closes in 

 the noise gradually subsides, and all becomes hushed. 

 Occasionally, however, a few sounds may be heard at 

 intervals after dark, which most probably proceed from 

 some belated bird seeking a place or a quarrel : some- 

 times in the dead of the night the whole colony is throw n 



E 5 



