26$ 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



was of value and could not be wasted in idle loitering, at the same time uttering their cry, which is 

 unbearably noisy. The inhabitants of Ceylon observe these birds with great attention, and have many 

 superstitions based upon the course of their flight, the kind of trees on which they settle, or the 

 numbers in which they appear — indeed, the proceedings of the Glossy Crow would seem to be 

 regarded with the same attention and anxiety as was the flight of ominous birds amongst the Greeks 

 and Romans. The Dutch, during the time that they possessed Ceylon, also showed considerable 

 favour to this species, and decreed heavy punishments for those who killed them, believing them of 



THE NUTCRACKER {Nucifraga caryocatacles). 



great service in promoting the growth of cinnamon by devouring the ripe fruit and scattering the 

 undigested seeds over the surrounding country. 



Endless are the annoyances to which the inhabitants of Ceylon are exposed by the thievish 

 propensities of these daring pilferers, who will watch the windows of the houses, to steal every article 

 that it is in their power to remove, and not unfrequently open packets, or even unknot a cloth, if they 

 fancy that anything eatable is contained within its folds. On one occasion a party of people seated in 

 a garden were much startled by the sudden appearance of a clasp-knife covered with blood, which fell 

 amongst them as if coming from the clouds, and, on instituting inquiries, at last ascertained that the 

 formidable missile had been stolen from the cook, who, in an unlucky moment, had turned his head 



