432 TRINIDAD. 



bourhood of inhabited places ; as insects seem even to swarm in 

 greater abundance in the skirtings of wood-lands, never will the 

 chirpings and twitterings which announce the coming dawn, be 

 heard amidst the density of the forests. At all times, there 

 reigns in those solitudes, a stillness which one would be far from 

 expecting. 



There is more, however, to be considered in this flitting life, 

 on the one hand, and in this attachment to cultivations on the 

 other, than the mere support of existence. Certain species, though 

 frugivorous or baccivorous, are not met with except in very remote 

 and wooded localities ; they never approach our abodes. If some 

 species seem to shun the solitude of the wood-lands, and do 

 not dread the neighbourhood of man, it is quite the reverse with 

 others, though belonging to the same genus. The Diable en- 

 rhume (Tanagra Mexicana) , the brown headed Vert- Vert (Tanagra 

 G-yrola) are met in the fruit and berry trees which grow near our 

 clearings ; whilst another tanager (Arrivant) flies to conceal its 

 beautiful plumage in the depths of forests. One of our black- 

 birds enlivens our copses, whilst another ( Turdus Flavipes) seems 

 to avoid our abodes. 



The Troglodytes Eudon is so much attached to the society of 

 man, that it never deserts him, and it is even under his roof that 

 it establishes its nest. Never does its note salute the ear of the 

 wanderer in the forest. More than once, after a long jaunt, and 

 thinking myself still near the starting point, I have been quite 

 surprised at finding myself approaching the end of my journey 

 the song of a wren being a sure sign I was in the proximity of 

 some inhabited place. And yet the other species is met with 

 everywhere. 



Certain flowers which are eagerly sought by some species 

 of humming-birds, are far from being scarce in these localities 

 which suit their growth : and yet it is well known that in order 

 to procure these humming-birds, the naturalist must seek them 

 in other and well-determined spots. 



The black-headed Urubu is found in all parts, whilst the red- 

 headed species is never seen in towns, but is met with only at a 

 distance in the country. The former may be said to be mainly 

 urban, and the latter rustic; still, their habits are the same; and 

 if I can depend on information which has been furnished me, there 

 are parts of the neighbouring continent, in the towns of which 



