GAME. 435 



is over, all return to the continent, save a few individuals which 

 continue to frequent our marshes. 



In November, other species appear. These are principally 

 ducks, viz., the poachard, shoveller, jansen, &c., that seek a 

 shelter against the cold of North America. 



There are other species whose migrations cannot be accounted 

 for in the same satisfactory manner. Dating from July, the 

 Tyrannus Savanna arrives here from Venezuela, in immense 

 troops, and leaves us in October. These birds feed on insects only, 

 and surely such a prey cannot be wanting on the continent. 

 Similar is the case of the speckled ramier, which comes in, and 

 returns at the same periods ; and yet the berries on which it 

 feeds, must also be abundant on the mainland. 



GAME. 



As an article of food, our birds exhibit one main character- 

 istic they are utterly deficient in flavour. The ramier, dove, 

 quail, and parrot, which are occasionally served on our tables, do 

 not, in any way, recall to one's mind the flavour of the partridge ; 

 and the amateur must forget that ordinary stimulant of appetite, 

 in order to relish that something which makes a young parrot a 

 delicious dish. The speckled ramier is much prized, and with 

 good reason ; and the ortolan is also very acceptable to the 

 epicure : as far as these are concerned, however, we yield the palm 

 to Europe, to claim it, notwithstanding, for our ducks. The 

 individuals which come from South America particularly, leave 

 nothing more exquisite to be desired ; those which migrate from 

 North America, are not all so excellent ; such as they are, never- 

 theless, they are far superior to those of the old continent. 



Among the smaller species, several have been remarked by 

 connoisseurs : the Tyrannus Savanna is a ball of fat, and a bro- 

 chette of these small birds yields, in no one particular, to the beca- 

 fico of Europe. Some of our merles, when feeding upon aromatic 

 berries, possess a gout which is not inferior to the flavour in which 

 they are deficient. 



I ought not to pass unnoticed the guacharo (Caprimulgus Cari- 

 pensis). The young ones, which are literally a mass of fat, are 

 highly praised and relished by amateurs. I have on several 

 occasions partaken of them, but must candidly confess that, in 



BB2 



