GAME. 377 



follow the example of those Grallatoriae. After the rainy season 

 is over, all return to the continent, save a few individuals which 

 continue to frequent our marshes. 



In November, other species appear. These are principally 

 ducks, viz., the poachard, shoveller, jansen, &c, that seek a 

 shelter against the cold of North America. 



There are other species whose migrations cannot be accounted 

 for in the same satisfactory manner. In July, the Tyrannus 

 savanna arrives here from Venezuela, in immense flocks, and 

 leaves us in October. These birds feed on insects only, and 

 surely such a prey cannot be wanting on the continent. Similar 

 is the case of the speckled ramier, which comes in and returns 

 at the same periods ; and yet the berries on which it feeds 

 must also be abundant on the mainland. 



Game. 



As an article of food, our birds exhibit one main characteristic 

 — they are utterly deficient in flavour. The ramier, dove, quail, 

 and parrot, which are occasionally served on our tables, do not in 

 any way recall to one's mind the flavour of the partridge ; and 

 the amateur must forget that ordinary stimulant of appetite, in 

 order to relish that something which makes a young parrot a 

 delicious dish. The speckled ramier is much prized, and with 

 good reason ; and the ortolan is also very acceptable to the 

 epicure : as far as these are concerned, however, we yield the 

 palm to Europe, to claim it, notwithstanding, for our ducks. 

 The individuals which come from South America particularly 

 leave nothing more exquisite to be desired ; those which migrate 

 from North America are not all so excellent ; such as they are, 

 nevertheless, they are far superior to those of the old continent. 



Among the smaller species, several have been remarked by 

 connoisseurs : the Tyr annus savanna is a ball of fat, and a 

 brochette of these small birds yields, in no one particular, to the 

 becafico of Europe. Some of our merles, when feeding upon 

 aromatic berries, possess a gout which is not inferior to the flavour 

 in which they are deficient. 



I ought not to pass unnoticed the guacharo (Caprimulgus 

 caripensis) . The young ones, which are literally a mass of fat, 

 are highly praised and relished by amateurs. I have on several 

 occasions partaken of them, but must candidly confess that, in 



