22 BRITISH HONDURAS. 



white; both sexes have a full crest on the head, which they 

 erect and move at pleasure. Other birds are white egrets, 

 Trogon, toucans with monstrous bills, the quam, whistling ducks, 

 partridges, wild pigeons, &c. Parrots are very plentiful ; the most 

 prized for talking are the yellow-headed parrots, obtained from 

 Monkey Eiver and places south. Of raptorial birds, the eagle, 

 the "John-crow," or vulture, the osprey and hawk are well 

 represented. 



The sea, as well as the rivers, afford an abundant supply of 

 excellent fish. As in the West Indies, the most prized are the 

 callipever, snapper, bass, mullet, grooper, and king or june-fish. 

 In the rivers, the mountain mullet, or tropical trout, affords not 

 only good sport, but is most delicate eating. 



Turtle is found along the coast, and during the season turtle- 

 fishing is an established industry. The green-turtle is in chief 

 request for food, the hawksbill and loggerhead being taken for 

 the sake of the shell. Several fresh-water tortoises are found in 

 the rivers and used for food, the chief being the " hiccatee." 



The king, queen, and common conch are found in the outer 

 cays and along shore, and the flesh of some used for food. It is 

 very probable that, as in the Bahamas, the shells of these might 

 form an important article of export, as they are largely used for 

 cameos ; and in the common conch is found a beautiful pale- 

 pink pearl of great value. The value of shells 'exported from 

 Bahamas is placed at 1,200 per annum, and of pearls at 

 3,000 per annum. A fine set of exhibits of these articles 

 were lately shown at the International Fisheries Exhibition in 

 London. 



Of snakes, probably British Honduras has its share, in common 

 with most tropical countries. The number of these which are 

 venomous is much smaller, I believe, than is generally supposed. 

 Those which are known to be venomous are the rattlesnake, the 



