262 ELEVEN WEEKS IN NORTH-EASTERN BRAZIL. 



birds often do, to a height of fifty or sixty feet or more, and then 

 dropped down dead ; on examination I found it had been shot through 

 the brain. 



The " Canario " is a very common cage-bird with the Brazilians, nearly 

 every house having one or more pairs. 



40. CASSICUS PEESICUS. 



This is one of the commonest and most characteristic birds of the 

 country near the coast, where it is very abundant, and may be seen 

 commonly, even in the neighbourhood of Recife, nearly anywhere where 

 cocoa-palms grow. It usually goes about in small parties of about four 

 or five, which keep up, when perched, a continuous chattering, often 

 leading to their discovery before being seen themselves. Towards even- 

 ing they seem to collect in larger parties, as at that time numbers might 

 often be seen returning homewards, always flying in the same direction, 

 and usually making for a clump of palms, on which, no doubt, to pass 

 the night. In the interior it is much less common, and I often went 

 several days without seeing one. The Brazilians call it " Sheshou," and 

 keep it often in cages. 



Irides deepish blue. 



Ibis v 1881, 41. ICTEETJS TIBIALIS. 



This bird I first observed at Quipapa, where it was not uncommon in 

 the vicinity of the town, flying about in small companies of twos and 

 threes. I afterwards found it at Macuca and Garanhuns, and saw a 

 single specimen in the garden at Cabo a few days before I sailed, though 

 I did not see the species at all during my previous stay there. The bird 

 is also found at San Lorenzo, a village about 20 miles west of Eecife, 

 as a living specimen I bought in Eecife came from there. The bird is 

 not rarely to be seen caged in the houses of the Brazilians, who call it 

 "Sheshou de Bananeira," to distinguish it from the common " Sheshou" 

 (Cassicus persicus). It is also sometimes called " Soldado," or soldier. I 

 succeeded in bringing three specimens alive to London, two of which are 

 still living in the Zoological Gardens, where it has not before, I believe, 

 been exhibited alive. 



Eyes reddish brown ; feet bluish grey. 



42. MOLOTHETTS BONABIENSIS. 



I never met with this species in the wild state, but saw several in cages 

 in Eecife, Quipapa, and elsewhere, and was told that it was found in the 

 neighbourhood. 



43. LEISTES STJTEECILIAEIS. 



This Eed- breasted Hangnest I only saw at Cabo. Here it was abun- 

 dant in the open, down-like fields that are found on the engenJios where 



