GREY PARROT. 
49 
From their own immediate domain the Parrots drive away all other 
birds, both great and small, — if necessary combining for that purpose. 
“The only enemy they meet with are the Kites ( Milvus parasiticus ) 
of the neighbouring island of St. Thomas; it sometimes happens that 
a Kite does, either by design or accident, find its way to Prince’s 
Island, but no sooner is the intruder observed than the alarm is raised, 
the Parrots hasten up from all parts, and in a very short time the 
luckless bird is either killed or driven away. 
“During the day, when flying about in flocks, the Parrots never 
settle on a tree, unless satisfied that it is a safe resting-place. They 
are very suspicious, and always on the alert, taking notice of everything 
that occurs in their vicinity. They are more prudent and sharp than 
the native, quicker than the monkey; they require no tools to crack 
the hard nuts, and are consequently the most independent of the living 
creatures on that island. 
“On Prince’s Island there is a very lofty mountain, reaching some 
1200 feet above the level of the sea, and called by the natives 'Pico 
de Papagaio’, or Peak of the Parrot. On the slope of this mountain, 
and extending far up its side, is a magnificent forest. The trees are 
of great size and height, and their trunks and branches give support 
to the lianos 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 the explorer can force a passage 
through it, while to the Parrots, who come up there every night, it 
presents no obstacle, but gives them, under the shelter of its thick 
foliage, a secure and pleasant resting-place. 
“As sunset 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 of them 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: sometimes in the dead of 
the night the whole colony is thrown into an uproar, occasioned, I 
believe, by the visit of bats or of some predacious animal. 
“ There was one flock in particular, consisting of about forty in- 
dividuals, that attracted my special attention; every evening at nearly 
the same time, namely, half-past five, they would pass over my house 
on their way to the mountain. I used to follow them with the eye, 
and always found that they settled on the same tree. 
II. E 
