FOURTH JOURNEY. 245 



the one I had in my possession to his native haunts. 

 As soon as he came in contact with the branch of a 

 tree, all went right with him. I could see, as he 

 climbed up into his own country, that he was on the 

 right road to happiness ; and felt persuaded more than 

 ever that the world has hitherto erred in its conjec- 

 tures concerning the sloth, on account of naturalists not 

 having given a description of him when he was in the 

 only position in which he ought to have been described, 

 namely, clinging to the branch of a tree. 



As the appearance of this part of the country bears 

 great resemblance to Cayenne, and is so near to it, I 

 was in hopes to have found the Grande Gobe Mouche 

 of Buffon, and the septicoloured Tangara, both of which 

 are common in Cayenne ; but after many diligent 

 searches, I did not succeed ; nor could I learn from the 

 Indians that they had ever seen those two species of 

 birds in these parts. 



Here I procured the Grossbeak, with a 

 beak. 6 S p i cn scarlet body, and black head and throat. 

 Buffon mentions it as coming from America. 

 I had been in quest of it for years, but could never see 

 it, and concluded that it was not to be found in Deme- 

 rara. This bird is of a greenish broAvn before it acquires 

 its rich plumage. 



Procures a Amongst the bare roots of the trees, along- 

 la j* , s P ecies side of this part of the river, a red crab 



ot Owl. 



sometimes makes its appearance, as you are 

 passing up and down. It is preyed upon by a large 

 species of owl, which I was fortunate enough to procure. 

 Its head, back, wings, and tail, are of so dark a brown, 

 as almost to appear black. The breast is of a some- 

 what lighter brown. The belly and thighs are of a 



