British Guiana and its Birds. 317 



ccpIus jacapa), feeding on the fruits of some of the palm- 

 trees j the " Qu'est-que-dit " {Pitangus sulphur atus) , perched 

 on the top of one of the trees, and looking out for insects ; 

 and occasional Humming-birds, of which the commonest 

 species is Topaza pella. Other birds common in the garden 

 are Tanagra jjalmarum, the " Calisi ^' of the Indians [Certhiola 

 chloropyga), and the Sebi-sebi {Chelidoptera te?iebrosa). 

 Macaws and other small Parrots are often seen flying across 

 the grounds, but rarely ahght near the house. Mr. im 

 Thurn has a large aviary full of captives, and a number of 

 tame birds free round the house. Amongst the latter the 

 most prominent are the Sun-bird {Eurypyga helias), the 

 Warra-caba or Trumpeter {Psophia crepitans), and the 

 Curri-curri or Scarlet Ibis {Eudocimus ruber). The cages 

 are usually occupied by birds of various species, such as the 

 Kessi-kessi {Conurus solstitialis) , which are very noisy, 

 especially early in the morning. Toucans {Rhamphastos vitel- 

 linus), the Maroudi {Penelope greeyi), and another species 

 of the same genus (P. cristata), which is said to be confined 

 to the Corentyne River and Orinoco country, and not to be 

 found in the intervening districts. Besides these there 

 were examples of Urochroma purpurata, Caica melanocephala, 

 and other Parrots. The Caica is remarkable for its excessive 

 friendliness and sociability. I brought a specimen of it home 

 with me, which is certainly the tamest bird I have ever 

 come across. In addition to the above mentioned, there 

 was a Maam [Tinamus subcristatus) and a Hannaquoi 

 {Ortalis motmot) ; this latter bird may be regarded as the 

 Chanticleer of Demarara, for it rouses the sleepy wanderer 

 most effectively by its far-resounding cry of " hannaquoi ! " 

 from which, of course, it derives its name. 



It may be interesting to readers of ' The Ibis ' to know 

 that, there being no butcher within a reasonable distance of 

 Maccasseema, the dinner-table is dependent for its supplies 

 upon tinned meats and upon game brought in by the 

 Indians, who pass most of their time in hunting, when they 

 are not asleep in their hammocks. The principal birds 

 obtained for food in this way were the Maam ( Tinamus subcris- 



