278 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



Photo by P. G. H. 



FIG. 92. GIANT MARINE TOAD 



6:40 Mists gone from valleys. River a solid mass of fog. 



6:42 Giant swifts in pairs high up. Male box martin leaves perch, 



catches insect, returns at once and feeds: 

 6:42^/2 Then perches again and feeds. 

 6:45 Male box martin leaves for another quick capture and returns. 



Feeds. 



As I was about to leave, I saw a large bird alight in a 

 great cotton tree between Kalacoon and the river. My 

 glasses showed it to be a mealy Amazon parrot. I watched 

 it carefully and could see every movement. It lifted a foot, 

 scratched its head, pushed its wing down and preened its 

 plumage. Now and then it ducked as one of four palm 

 tanagers dashed at it. In fact, it was mobbed by these birds 

 as enthusiastically as if it had been an owl. It craned its 

 neck and watched with interest as the Government steamer 

 left the Penal Settlement and started down river. A final 



