THE ROBIN REDBREAST. 255 



they are then loaded. At this period, which is commonly termed 

 the oil-harvest, the Indians construct little habitations of palm- 

 leaves close to the opening, and even in the mouth of the cavern. 

 Here the grease of the young birds just killed is melted over a fire 

 of dry sticks, and run into pots of white clay. This grease, known 

 by the name of Guacharo butter or oil, is semi-liquid, transparent, 

 and without smell, and so pure that it may be kept a twelvemonth 

 without becoming rancid. At a neighbouring convent, visited by 

 these travellers, no oil but that of the cavern was used in the monks' 

 kitchen, and it was never found to give to any dish a disagreeable 

 taste or smell." 



TABLE XIII. (See page 15.) 

 ORDER 2. PASSERINE. TRIBE 7. TENUIROSTRES. 



The birds of this tribe, comprehending the rest of this divi- 

 sion, are classed together, not so much with reference to the 

 actual strength or weakness of the bill, as on account of its 

 form and comparative narrowness and length, which is seldom 

 less than twice that of the head, sometimes straight, at other 

 times more or less bent. In other respects, they differ very 

 materially ; in fact, they have no connection whatever with each 

 other. Amongst them we find, of foreigners, the Humming- 

 birds, and the genus Todus, much, resembling Kingfishers, but 

 feeding on insects instead of fish. Some species of the rest 

 are British, such as the Hoopoe and Bee-eaters, both of which 

 are, however, very scarce. 



Of the habits of one of the above genus, which, though of 

 a beautiful green on the back, has a crimson throat, whence it is 

 called the Eobin Redbreast of Jamaica, an interesting account 

 is given by a close observer of nature in that island. One which 

 was caught in a net, and turned into a room, began immediately 

 to catch flies and other minute insects that flitted about. At 

 this employment it continued incessantly, and most success- 

 fully, all that evening and all the next day, from earliest dawn 

 till dusk. It would sit on the edge of the tables, on shelves, 

 or on the floor, ever glancing about, now and then flitting up 

 into the air, when the snap of its beak announced a capture, 

 and it returned to some station to eat it It would peep into 

 the lowest and darkest corners and under the tables, for the 



