40 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AJMERICA 



the Chameleon is busily employed in chasing in- 

 sects round the trunks of the neighbouring trees. 



The fish are of many different sorts, and well- 

 tasted, but not, generally speaking, very plentiful. 

 It is probable that their numbers are considerably 

 thinned by the Otters, which are much larger than 

 those of Europe. In going through the over- 

 flowed savannas, which have all a communication 

 with the river, you may often see a dozen or two 

 of them sporting amongst the sedges before you. 



This warm and humid climate seems particu- 

 larly adapted to the producing of insects ; it gives 

 birth to myriads, beautiful past description in 

 their variety of tints, astonishing in their form 

 and size, and many of them noxious in their 

 qualities. 



He whose eye can distinguish the various beau- 

 ties of uncultivated nature, and whose ear is not 

 shut to the wild sounds in the woods, will be de- 

 lighted in passing up the river Demerara. Every 

 now and then, the Maam or Tinamou sends forth 

 one long and plaintive whistle from the depths of 

 the forest, and then stops; whilst the yelping of 

 the Toucan, and the shrill voice of the bird called 

 Pi-pi-yo, is heard during the interval. The Cam- 

 panero never fails to attract the attention of the 

 passenger: at a distance of nearly three miles, you 

 may hear this snow-white bird tolling every four 

 or five minutes, like the distant convent bell. 

 Prom six to nine in the morning, the forests re- 

 sound with the mingled cries and strains of the 

 feathered race; after this, they gradually die 

 away. From eleven to three all nature is hushed 

 as in a midnight silence, and scarce a note is heard, 



