146 The Birds of British Guiana. 



possibly the Slavonian. This lake was singularly free from any 

 rushy growth, the water around its shores being too deep, 

 consequently I saw none of the common inland water-fowl such 

 as coots and moorhens. Ducks were also conspicuous by their 

 absence. Hooded Crows and Magpies were numerous. After 

 breakfast our party set out for Stalheim in stoljaerres, our first 

 experience of the national vehicle. Each stoljaerre takes two 

 passengers. The driver sits behind. They are quite comfort- 

 able, and of course by this arrangement one's view is quite 

 unimpeded. The Norwegian ponies used in these carts are 

 splendid little creatures. As there were about fifty of us in our 

 party we made quite a cavalcade. Our way led up a valley, 

 which in parts was fairly thickly wooded, principally with silver 

 birch. It looked a likely country for Woodcock. Houses were 

 few and far between. At one place we passed a mill of sorts, 

 at the junction of two mountain torrents. I couldn't help think- 

 ing what an enormous amount of power might be developed 

 upon these rivers. Later on we passed a long narrow lake. 

 Here there was a patch or two of bullrushes, and the young of 

 ducks and coots could be seen swimming in their vicinity. We 

 were too far off to be able to identify the species. 



(To be Continued). 

 ^-M^ 



The Birds of British Guiana. 



By Chas. Daw-son, S.J., M.A., (Oxon). 



This article is reprinted from the "Journal of the Board of Agriculture of 

 Brit. Guiana." with our apologies and thanks to the Editor. Author and 

 Proprietors.' — lulitor " Bird Notes.'' 



{Continued tro))i fage 128). 



Barbets Ax\d Pui-f-Birds. — These birds derive their 

 name from the barbs or bristles with which their mouths are 

 beset, though they are by no means tlie only birds thus armed. 

 The Barbets of the colony may be compared with the Kiskadee 

 in size and form, and also as regards their powerful beak; but 

 they belong to a different order, namely the Coraeiiformes. 

 There are two different families : the Biieeoninae or " Puff 



