336 Mr. W. A. Forbes on Eleven Weeks 



I also saw, and shot, what I believe was a specimen of this 

 bird near Vista Alegre, but did not succeed in finding it. 

 The Brazilians call it "Caboclo/^ a name applied to the tamed 

 aboriginal Indians in Pernambuco. It may sometimes be 

 seen in Recife in cages with crowds of sundry other Spermo- 

 philae, Canaries {Sy calls), Cardinals [Paroaria], &c. 



-e 32. Spermophila gutturalis. 



This little Spermophila was very abundant in the garden at 

 Estancia, frequenting the reedy and marshy parts, where it 

 congregates in small flocks, feeding on the seeds of the 

 grasses, sedges, and other similar plants. I also saw it 

 abundant afterwards at Quipapa, as well as in the low bush- 

 covered country round Garanhuns, so that it is by no means 

 confined to the sea-board or even to the neighbourhood of 

 water. It is often kept as a cage-bird. 



Eyes brown. 



-f 33. Spermophila hypoleuca. 



This species of Spermophila is also common and widely 

 distributed, frequenting grassy or open places, and often 

 coming into gardens. It appears to feed mainly on grass- 

 seeds, and is social in its habits. The females are brown. 

 Called by the Brazilians "Papa Cupim,''^ i. e. grass-eater. 

 This name it shares with ;S'. gutturalis. 



f Eyes brown; bill (in the male) fleshy red. 



^ A closely allied species {S. plumbea, distinguished easily by 

 its smaller and black beak) I never succeeded in identifying 

 for certain in a wild state, though it is greatly esteemed by 

 the Brazilians as a cage-bird. They call it ''Patitiva de 

 Parahyba^'' (those caught at that place being supposed to 

 be particularly excellent songsters) and often pay consider- 

 able prices for good singers. The song is loud for the size 

 of the bird and rather pretty, though monotonous, and not 

 at all comparable to a Nightingale's, or even a Red Cardinal's 

 {Cardinalis) . 



34. Volatinia jacarina. 



This little Finch, though not very common as a rule, I 

 found widely spread, extending from Parahyba and Recife on 



