tb 
ber, but existing customs were transformed, savages withdrew from 
the district abandoning their lairs; even the language proper was 
forgotten, giving rise to new names to localities, plants &c. 
Characteristic Amazonian features were lost, being supplanted by 
those of a new California. . ' _ , 
In 1890, exchange declined, with it, rose the price of rubber. 
Then appeared the Gold famine, and with it fortunes were made 
from hour to hour. Before this, the rubber fever, like an epidemic, 
extended from one end to another of Brazil, producing bv this 
transition the transformation of this southern agricultural land with 
only a thought for the present, and to the detriment of the future 
of the State. 
INTRODUCTION OF CEYLON CROWS INTO 
SELANGOR. 
KLANG, SELANGOR, 
FEDERATED MALAY STATES, 
28th January, 1903. 
The Resident-General, F. M. S., 
CARGOS A, 
KUALA LUMPUR. 
Ceylon Crows. 
Sir, — In continuation of my letter of the 5th instant, I have the 
honour to report as follows : — 
1. There have been no more fatalities amongst the crows. 1 he 
whole batch of 56 have now been set free, and so far show no 
inclination to desert the locality. They were released as recorded 
below : 
On 9th January 12 birds. 
12th ,, 6 „ 
1 6th ,, 14 >' 
17th ,, 12 ,, 
27 th jj 12 ,, 
Total 56 „ 
The first lot were let out within 4 days of their arrival, because 
several of them looked weakly and as if they were suffering from the 
confinement. An equal number of healthy crows were at the same 
time given their liberty as I thought that the example of those able 
to take care of themselves would perhaps be beneficial to their less 
robust brethren in the way of encouraging them to forage for food, 
etc. Finding the first birds disinclined to fly away from the place, 
I gradually let the others out as shown above, keeping a dozen 
only until yesterday, in order to observe their behaviour in capti- 
vity, and see if a prolonged confinement would in any way affect 
them adversely. I am pleased to say, that far from this being the 
case they got fresher every day, and their plumage brighter. 
