558 IMr. W. L. S. Loat on the 



XLVII. — Field-notes on the Birds of British Guiana. 

 By W. L. S. Loat, F.Z.S. 



Having long had a desire to see something of bird-life in the 

 Tropics, I left New York for Georgetown, British Guiana, at 

 the end of November of last year, and s])ent three or four 

 months collecting in the surrounding district. 



The best route is by the boats of the Quebec Steamship 

 Company's Line, as they call at the chief islands of the Wind- 

 ward Group, to unload cargo, and thus enable one to spend 

 several hours on shore. When some distance from George- 

 town the colour of the ocean changes to a yellowish brown, 

 caused by the enormous amount of tine mud brought down by 

 the Amazons and Orinoco. Even the water of the Essequebo 

 for some distance up from its mouth is likewise discoloured 

 from the same cause. The coast of British Guiana seems to 

 lie very low and is bordered l)y a line of trees, while every here 

 and there one notices the tall chimneys of the sugar-estates. 

 Several miles from the town, the vessel stops at the lightship 

 to take on board a pilot, as the navigation at this spot is 

 difficult, on account of the mudbanks. '1 he first birds to be 

 noticed as you approach Georgetown are small Gulls {Larus 

 atricilla). At the landing-stage the ubiquitous Pitangus 

 sulphuratus is seen, with its bright yellow breast and lively 

 manner. This bird and its allies are generally known as the 

 " Kiskadies,'' owing to the fancied resemblance in their cry 

 to the words " Qu'est-ce qu'il dit?" I have seen this bird 

 take fruit while on the wing, but it generally flies to a perch 

 to eat it, Pitangus lictor is also fairly common, while 

 Myiozetetes cayennensis, which resembles it in size and 

 plumage, but has a much shorter bill, is rare. The " Grey- 

 headed Tyrant-bird " [Tyrannus melancholicus) is also another 

 common species. 



The Botanical Gardens at Georgetown, which are of 

 great beauty ami extent, are a safe haunt for many species 

 of Tyrannida; and other birds. There are also two or three 

 examples of the American tapir, kept in a semi- wild state, 

 which have bred once or twice in confinement, the striped 



