256 



BIRDS. 



[Chap. VIII. 



During the storms which usher in the monsoon, it has 

 been observed, that when coco-nut palms are destroyed 

 by lightning, the effect frequently extends beyond 

 a single tree, and from the contiguity and conduction 

 of the spreading leaves, or some other peculiar cause, 

 large groups will be affected by a single flash, a few 

 killed instantly, and the rest doomed to rapid decay. 

 In Belligam Bay, a little to the east of Point-de-Gralle, 

 a small island, which is covered with coco-nuts, has 

 acquired the name of " Crow Island," from being the 

 resort of those birds, which are seen hastening towards 

 it in thousands towards sunset. A few years ago, during 

 a violent storm of thunder, such was the destruction of 

 the crows that the beach for some distance was covered 

 with a black line of their remains, and the grove on 

 which they had been resting was to a great extent 

 destroyed by the same flash. 1 



III. Scansores. Parroquets. — Of the Psittacidso the 

 only examples are the parroquets, of which the most 

 renowned is the Palceornis Alexandria which has the 

 historic distinction of bearing the name of the great 

 conqueror of India, having been the first of its race 

 introduced to the knowledge of Europe on the return of 

 his expedition. An idea of their number may be formed 

 from the following statement of Mr. Layard, as to the 

 multitudes which are to be found on the western coast. 

 " At Chilaw, I have seen such vast flights of parroquets 

 hurrying towards the coco-nut trees which overhang the 



1 Similar instances are recorded found on the shores of a lake in 

 in other countries of sudden and pro- the county Westmeath in Ireland 

 digious mortality amongst crows; after a storm. — Thompson's Nat. 

 but whether occasioned by lightning Hist. Ireland, vol. i. p. 319. Pat- 

 seems uncertain. In 1839 thirty- terson in his Zoology, p. 356, men- 

 three thousand dead crows were tions other cases. 



