195 



is marked transversely with black and brown 

 stripes, and the head decorated with a blue crest. 



The turtle-doves are of two vpecies ; the one is 

 similar to that of Europe ; the other (columba 

 melanoptora) has an ash-coloured bodj and 

 black wings. 



There are four species of the woodpecker ; the 

 green, the Virginian, the carpenter, and the pitiu. 

 The carpenter (picus lignarius) is less than a 

 starling, and has a red crest, and the body is Ta- 

 riegated with wh.ite and blue. The bill is so 

 strong that it peifarates with it not only dry but 

 green trees, and proves very injurious to the 

 fniit trees, by making deep holes in them, 

 wherein it deposits its eggs. The pitiu (picus 

 pitius) is of the size of a pigeon. Its plumage 

 is brown, spotted with white, and its tlesh is 

 held in much estimation. This bird lays four 

 eggs, but it does not, like others of its species, 

 nest in the holes ef trees, but in excavations 

 which it makes in the high banks of rivers, or 

 on the sides of hills. 



Grey and red partridge?, which, according to 

 Feuille, are larger than those of Europe, are 

 very numerous througliout the country. They 

 have an excellent flavour, particularly during 

 the months of April and May, when they feed 

 upon tno flowers of the sassia perdicaria. In the 

 marshes is found a species that is smaller, whose, 

 flesh is much less delicate. Quails are wholly 



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