208 HISTORY OF 



This bird, which for beauty exceeds all others 

 of the pie kind, is a native of the Molucca Islands, 

 but found in greatest numbers in that of Aro. 

 There, in the delightful and spicy woods of the 

 country, do these beautiful creatures fly in large 

 flocks ; so that the groves which produce the 

 richest spices produce the finest birds also. The 

 inhabitants themselves are not insensible of the 

 pleasure these afford, and give them the name of 

 God's birds, as being superior to all others that 

 he has made. They live in large flocks, and at 

 night generally perch upon the same tree. They 

 are called by some the Swallows of Ternate, 

 from their rapid flight, and from their being con- 

 tinually on the wing in pursuit of insects, their 

 usual prey. 



As the country where they are bred has its 

 tempestuous season, when rains and thunders con- 

 tinually disturb the atmosphere, these birds are 

 then but seldom seen. It is thought that they 

 then fly to other countries, where their food ap- 

 pears in greater abundance, for, like swallows, 

 they have their stated times of return. In the 

 beginning of the month of August they are seen 

 in great numbers flying together, and, as the in- 

 habitants would have us believe, following their 

 king, who is distinguished from the rest by the 

 lustre of his plumage, and that respect and vene- 

 ration which is paid him. In the evening they 

 perch upon the highest trees of the forest, par- 

 ticularly one which bears a red berry, upon 

 which they sometimes feed when other food fails 

 them. In what manner they breed, or what may 



