Kautilya's Arthashastra 14.2.30

14.2.30

haṃsakrauñcamayūrāṇām anyeṣāṃ vā mahāśakunīnām udakaplavānāṃ puccheṣu baddhā naladīpikā rātrāv ulkādarśanam //

When birds such as a hamsa (goose), krauncha (heron), mayúra (peacock) and other large swimming birds are let to fly at night with a burning reed attached to their tail it presents the appearance of a fire-brand falling from the sky (ulká).