WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 135 



to this abruptly succeeds a dark shining brown, 

 reaching half way down the back : the remainder 

 of the back, the rump, and tail, the extremity of 

 which is edged with black, are a lively red; the 

 belly is a somewhat lighter red; the breast red- 

 dish black; the wings brown. He has no song, 

 is solitary, and utters a monotonous whistle which 

 sounds like ''quet." He is fond of the seeds of 

 the hitia-tree, and those of the siloabali and bas- 

 tard-siloabali trees, which ripen in December, and 

 continue on the trees for above two months. He 

 is found throughout the year in Demerara; still 

 nothing is known of his incubation. The Indians 

 all agree in telling you that they have never seen 

 his nest. 



The Purple-breasted Cotinga has the throat 

 and breast of a deep purple, the wmgs and tail 

 black, and all the rest of the body a most lovely 

 shining blue. 



The Purple-throated Cotinga has black wings 

 and tail, and every other part a light and glossy 

 blue, save the throat, which is purple. 



The Pompadour Cotinga is entirely purple, ex- 

 cept his wings, which are white, their four first 

 feathers tipped with brown. The great coverts 

 of the wings are stiff, narrow, and pointed, being 

 shaped quite different from those of any other 

 bird. Wlien you are betwixt this bird and the sun 

 in his flight, he appears uncommonly brilliant. 

 He makes a hoarse noise, which sounds like " Wal- 

 lababa." Hence his name amongst the Indians. 



None of these three eotingas have a song. They 

 feed on the hitia, siloabali, and bastard-siloabali 

 seeds, the wild guava, the fig, and other fruit 



