158 Dr. Emil A. Goeldi — Ornithological 



It is particularly soft, nearly melodious, and may be tolerably 

 interpreted by the syllables tiu-iiu-fu-fu-fu. The White- 

 breasted Tuc^no is confined to river-borders and wet " igapo- 

 forests""^; in localities far from water you will not meet with 

 it. Monasa nigra, the " Tanguru-para/^ sings ho-tiu, ho-tiii 

 continuously. 



The 21st and 22nd October were employed on an ex- 

 ploration o£ the upper course of the river Counan^. It 

 was an instructive and successful canoe- journey, which left 

 on us a deep impression of the richness of flora and fauna of 

 this district, as well as of the beauty of the landscape. The 

 water here, instead of being loamy and dirty, becomes clear 

 and transparent ; instead of floating imperceptibly along, it 

 jumps gaily over the numerous cascades formed by granitic 

 barriers which intercept the bed of the river, and, as we 

 advance, form more and more serious obstacles to free navi- 

 gation. An infinity of pretty freshwater fishes, such as 

 " matupirys " and " acaras,'" can be distinguished swimming 

 aroimd and beneath the boat, and the majestic forest vege- 

 tation of both shores echoes with the voices of interesting, 

 beautiful, and rare birds. Here we met with several Yellow- 

 headed Vultures [Cathartes uruhitinga) and with many 

 species of larger and smaller diurnal birds of prey, such as 

 Ictinia and other Falcons. On some of the gigantic trees 

 (such as '' Sumaumas'^) we observed charming societies of 

 Tucanos {Rhamphastos vitelUnus prevailing here over the 

 white-breasted R. erythrorhynchus) , Parrots (such as Chry- 

 sotis farinosa, the " Moleiro/' which was very frequent), 

 Ostinops, and Pigeons of diff"erent species, sometimes asso- 

 ciated with smaller or larger families of howling monkeys. 

 Of Ostinops we noted a flight of 30, 40, and more individuals. 

 Here, also, we had again many occasions to verify the intelli- 

 gence of these Cassicine birds in choosing for their colonies 

 of hanging nests the extremities of branches vigorously 

 defended by strong colonies of wasps. In Brazil, as well as 

 in Guyana, the inhabitants state that these birds, when 

 attacked, fly intentionally against the wasps' nest, in order 

 to direct the irritation of their allies upon the common 



