STORMS THE POROROCCA. 305 



which leave the main river ; while the flocks of wading birds 

 migrate northerly, thus greatly dispersing the food on which 

 .the natives depend for their existence. The fishermen who 

 have been employed during the dry months in catching turtle 

 and fish on the sand-banks return to their villages, though 

 some employ themselves in collecting the Brazil nut and wild 

 cacao, which are now ripe. 



About the first week in June, the flood has risen sometimes 

 to the height of forty feet above the usual level of the river, 

 when it now begins to subside. The rains, however, do not fall 

 continuously, though very heavy at times. Several days of 

 beautiful sunny weather generally intervene. The fine season 

 begins with a few days of brilliant weather — tlie rays of the 

 sun breaking forth among the passing clouds. Towards the 

 middle of July the sand-banks again appear, flocks of gulls 

 and other water birds fly by, and the gaily-plumaged inhabit- 

 ants of the forest come forth into full activitv and life. 



STORMS. 



The navigation of the Amazon is not fi'ce from danger. 

 Fierce storms arise ; black clouds gather over the blue expanse, 

 suffused anon' with a lurid yellow tinge, and the fierce whirl- 

 wind howls along the river banks, tearing the placid stream 

 into masses of foam; the tall trees bend before the blast, and 

 huge branches are wrenched off and hurled into the water. 

 The long-legged waders and other water birds, unable to face 

 it, throw themselves on the gTound, and cling with claws 

 and beak to the sand to escape being carried helplessly away. 



THE POROROCCA. 



Sometimes, too, the destroying pororocca — a vast wave 



(379) 20 



