82 PAEA. Chap. IL 



subsequently explored. Towards the Magoary the banks 

 at the edge of the water are clothed with mangrove 

 bushes, and beneath them the muddy banks into w^hich 

 the long roots that hang down from the fruit before it 

 leaves the branches strike their fibres, swarm with crabs. 

 On the lower branches the beautiful bird, Ai'dea helias is 

 found. This is a small heron of exquisitely graceful shape 

 and mien ; its plumage is minutely variegated with bars 

 and spots of many colours, like the wings of certain 

 kinds of moths. It is difficult to see the bird in the 

 woods, on account of its sombre colours, and the shadi- 

 ness of its dwelling-places ; but its note, a soft long- 

 drawn whistle, often betra3^s its hiding-place. I was 

 told by the Indians that it builds in trees, and that the 

 nest, which is made of clay, is beautifully constructed. 

 It is a favourite pet-bird of the Brazilians, who call it 

 Pavab (pronounced Pavaong), or peacock. I often had 

 opportunities of observing its habits. It soon becomes 

 tame, and walks about the floors of houses picking-up 

 scraps of food, or catching insects, which it secures by 

 walking gently to the place where they settle, and 

 spearing them with its long, slender beak. It allows 

 itself to be handled by children, and will answer to its 

 name " Pavad ! Pavao ! " walking up with a dainty, 

 circumspect gait, and taking a fly or beetle from the 

 hand. 



We made several shorter excursions in the neighbour- 

 hood. There was a favourite young negro slave named 

 Hilario (anglicised to Larry), who took an interest in 

 our pursuit. He paddled me one day over the lake, 

 where w^e shot a small alligator and several Piosocas 



