272 ELEVEN WEEKS IN NORTH-EASTERN BRAZIL. 



present species " Anu branco," or " White Arm," as opposed to the 

 common or black species. 



Ibis, 1881, 84. DlPLOPTEEUS N^EVIUS. 

 p. 351. 



I only once saw this bird, at Garanhuns. It was feeding in the road, 



from which it flew up, as I approached, into a neighbouring tree. Thence 

 it flew down again into an adjoining maize-field, where its colour matched 

 well with that of the soil. A successful stalk on my part ended its 

 career. 



The irides are palish brown. 



85. PlAYA CAYANA. 



This Cuckoo I first saw at Cabo ; afterwards I met with it at Parahyba, 

 and again at Quipapa. It is usually seen singly, and is apparently by 

 no means rare. Though generally seen in trees, it seems awkward and 

 by no means at its ease off the ground. It sits quietly for a long time, 

 and then, when disturbed, creeps off through the leaves and flies away on 

 the other side. It has a loud screaming cry, which frequently betrays its 

 presence. Once, at Quipapa, I saw one being mobbed by some small birds, 

 just as Owls or Hawks often are in this country. The Brazilians know 

 the bird well, as it is rendered conspicuous both by its colour and cry, 

 and call it " Almo do G-ato." The colouring of the soft part makes this 

 bird, when alive or freshly killed, far handsomer than would be inferred 

 from the skin alone. 



The irides are bright ruby-red and the eyelids scarlet ; the beak is 

 yellowish green ; the feet grey, with the soles yellowish. 



86. CONUBUS JEtfDAYA. 



This Parrakeet, called by the Brazilians " Jandaia," may often be seen 

 tamed in houses, and to this species no doubt belonged most of the 

 Conuri that I continually saw flying in small flocks of from four to 

 twenty or so, both at Parahyba and between Quipapa and Garanhuns. 

 These birds, however, were so wary that I only once succeeded in at all 

 making out what they were by means of a glass, which clearly revealed 

 their yellow undersides. At other times they were invariably high in 

 the air, far out of gun-shot and almost out of sight ; indeed their presence 

 was usually first indicated by their cries, which were audible long before 

 Ibis, 1881, they themselves became visible. Only once, in a patch of forest near 

 p. 352. Quipapa, did I get anywhere within shot of these birds, and then they 

 were off directly they became aware of the presence of a stranger. 



87. CONUEUS CACTOEUM. 



Numerous living specimens of this little Parrakeet were brought to me 



