310 Recenthj published Ornithological Works. [Ibis, 



Then follows lists of birds with their coloi)ial and Indian 

 names, and of the methods pursned to obtain an insight 

 into their habits. In the space of five months, within a 

 rectangle of clearing and jnngle measuring two miles by 

 half a mile, Captain Beebe and his companions became 

 acquainted with two hundred and eighty-one species of 

 birds. Unlike many previous naturalists he was astonished 

 at the wealth and abundance of both individuals and species 

 in the primaeval forest. He has a good deal to say on 

 variation in the roosting liabit, on mixed bird-parties, 

 on protection by coloration, and on the fact that he never 

 found butterflies in the stomachs examined, and many other 

 similar problems. A special chapter is devoted to the 

 Hoatzin [Opisthocomus) which, however, is not met with 

 at Bartica, but on the Berbice River in another part of the 

 Colony. The young of this ancient form is quadrumanous, 

 using its wings, which are clawed, as well as its legs for 

 climbing about in the bushes in which it is hatched, and, if 

 driven to it, diving into the water and swimming freely 

 and well. 



Another chapter is devoted to the Tinamous, one genus 

 of which (Tinamus) has the hinder aspect of the tarsus 

 roughened, the scales forming a series of corrugations ; 

 while the other genus [Cri/pturus) has the tarsus quite 

 smooth. Captain Beebe discovered that this fact is ex- 

 plained by the habits of the birds : Tinamus major roosts 

 in trees, sitting lengthwise on the branch and resting on its 

 tarsi ; while Crypturus soui roosts on the ground. 



Up to now no definite account of the breeding-habits of 

 any species of Toucan has been given to the world. 

 Captain Beebe and his assistants found iive species of 

 these birds at Kalacoon, and between March 15 and xMay 10 

 obtained evidence of the breeding of all five, and secured 

 both eggs and young birds. The eggs are laid in a hole in 

 a tree, and often an old Woodpecker's hole is made use of. 

 They are, in the ca^se oi Rhamphastos monilis, two in number, 

 white in colour, and shaped like a diminutive hen's egg. 



