ANIMAL KINGDOM. 121 



close and strong shelter, the lower extremity being hemispherical, 

 and thicker than the other parts. It is a curious sight to observe 

 some forty or fifty of these aerial constructions hanging at the 

 extremity of the branches of a large tree, and swinging to and fro 

 with each undulation of the breeze. 



Several of our Creepers, or Grimpereaux, are remarkable for 

 their brilliant colours, and out of nineteen species of Humming- 

 birds, not a few exhibit the most dazzling plumage. They extract 

 the nectar from the flowers of the highest trees the Eryihrina, 

 the Inga, and others or are seen culling their honeyed food from 

 the Ourassavicu, or the bloom of our garden-plants; but the 

 habits and beauty of the Humming-birds are too well known to 

 require any further illustration. Amongst several species of 

 Picucules (Dendrocolaptes) , one is known by the name of Cacao- 

 eater. With its long and strong bill, it pierces a hole in the 

 ripe pod, apparently to suck the sweet mucilage that covers the 

 beans within ; and each pod thus attacked, together with its con- 

 tents, rots on the tree, so that these, not uncommonly, wholesale 

 depredations often occasion great loss to the cacao planter. The 

 Merle Cavalier or Black Corn-bird (Oassicus Ater), sometimes 

 makes great havoc in the corn-fields, by removing with its bill 

 the husk of the ear ; and although it eats but a few grains, the 

 mutilated ear invariably rots from being exposed to the rain or 

 heavy dews. 



Very few individuals of the Passerine order are useful as 

 articles of food ; though in this respect they are chiefly neglected 

 on account of their small size. The following are occasionally 

 served on our tables, viz. : Longue-queue (Tyrannus Savanna), 

 the Campanero, several Tanagers and Thrushes; also a Goat- 

 sucker (Caprimulyus Oaripensis) Guacharo or Diablotin. Of the 

 latter, the young only are acceptable, and they are caught in the 

 nest during February and March : the fledged bird is not eatable. 

 Nevertheless all the Passeres have their utility, in destroying an 

 immense number of insects, which otherwise would become an 

 intolerable pest ; even the Merle Cavalier and the Merle Corbeau 

 (Crotapliaga ani), are of notable assistance in clearing the blood- 

 thirsty tick from the hides of oxen, horses, and mules, in the 

 Estates '-pastures. 



Syndadyles. To this order belong the Voutou or Mot-mot 

 (Prionite-s Bmsiliensis), the Tacamar (G-allula Poradisea) of a 



