of an Orchid Hunter, 195 



forest while the natives were preparing supper ; some 

 small birds known as the Red-winged Starling (Leistes 

 Guianensis) were flitting about. I shot one, which fell 

 from the tree still alive and fluttering ; before I had 

 time to catch it a large black-and-white snake, known 

 to the natives as the " Hunter," sprang from an 

 adjoining hollow tree, and, seizing the luckless bird, 

 was making off into the thicket at a quick pace. 

 Fortunately one barrel of my shot-gun still remained 

 loaded, and a snap-shot from this stopped its progress 

 just as it was disappearing. This occurrence shows 

 how much care is necessary in moving about in the 

 forest, seeing how difficult it is to be aware of the 

 presence of these venomous enemies. 



In going up the river an event occurred, simple 

 enough in itself, but which serves to illustrate how 

 little the native is at a loss for resources under 

 any circumstances. The canoe in which we travelled 

 was a primitive structure made out of a hollowed 

 tree, about thirty feet long, but very narrow. In 

 this we travelled very swiftly where the water was 

 smooth, but to beein to move about in it when it 

 was in motion put us in danger of being thrown 

 into the river. The man who had charge of the 

 spoon-like paddle in the stern of the boat wanted to 

 smoke, but had no tobacco ; his companion in the 

 prow had plenty. How to pass a cigar along the 



