gjo account of the agamie. -^"S' ^2. 



ticularly deliglited Afvith those animals which are capable of 

 exprefsing an attachment to him, and of relying upon hin^ for 

 their protection and support. The dog, on account of the 

 sensibility he pofsefses in so surprising a degree, is in eve- 

 ry civilized country a particular favourite of man, inde- 

 pendently of his utility. The cat, and other small animals, 

 which admit of being tamed, are more or lefs esteemed 

 as they poisefs this quality in a greater <ix lefs degree of 

 perfection. 



Among the feathered tribe, some have been taken into 

 favour on account of the sweetnefs of their song j others 

 on account of the beauty of their plumage, or some other 

 singularity in their exterior appearance •, but the attach- 

 ment that these animals fhow to their master, is in general 

 90 very slight, that there are but few instances in which 

 they can lay claim lo any degree of favour upon this 

 ground. 



The :only instance of any considerable degree of that 

 •sort of attachment, on the part of any of the birds we 

 know of, is that which is manifested by a bird which 

 the French call the agamee. This bird is a native of 

 Cayenne in South America, and attaches itself to man, 

 %vith as much fidelity and warmth of affection as even a 

 dog does. If an agamee is admitted into any h.'usc, 

 it attaches itself to som^ one person with the utmost fide- 

 lity, and affords the most unequivocal marks of the plea- 

 sure it takes in his company. It comes to its master on 

 all occasions with evident marks of satisfaction j carefses 

 him with eagernefs, flies before, or follows after him, and 

 exprefses, by various motions, the joy it feels at seeing or 

 accompanying him. It comes readily when called, in 

 whatever manner it m»y chance to be engaged at the time : 

 3» loves to be carefsed, and presents its head -and neck to 

 be stroaked by him, with a satisfaction seemingly equal to 

 that which a eat exprefses in similar circumstances. It 



