3^0 TiMEHRI. 



rounded a sharp curve from the East into a large lake- 

 like expanse, at the head of which the catara6l of 

 Itabru thundered over the rocks. 



Up to this point, the colIe6lions made were, with one 

 or two exceptions, of no special interest, the forms of life 

 under observation being similar to those commonly met 

 with. At Coomacka in the early morning, the oft-repeated 

 cry of the beautiful Hootoo (Momota brasiliensis) had 

 been heard close by, in the belt of forest on the high 

 land adjoining the savannah, but no attempt had been 

 made to get specimens, under the idea that the birds 

 would be met with more advantageously further up; 

 but, as it happened, we had no further chance of 

 procuring them later on. Mingled with these cries of 

 the hootoo, there had been the loud clanging whistle of 

 the maam (Tinamus subcristatus) and the curious cry of 

 the hanaqua (Ortalida motmot)^ with the cooing of the 

 wood doves and pigeons, which were plentiful in the 

 bush around. Higher on the river, the distin6live notes 

 of the bell-bird (Chasmorhynchus niveus) sounded 

 from the surrounding forest, while common species of 

 bill-birds, macaws, parrots, barbets, cuckoos, shrikes? 

 hawks and vultures, etc., were met with at various 

 times, but generally quite out of range. The kingfishers 

 were by far the commonest birds, and of these a good 

 colleftion was made. 



Of mammals, we had been able to procure nothing 

 At one or two points, a howling-monkey (Mycetes) 

 and a common ring-tail (Cebus) had been detefted far 

 out of range on some tree tops, while a few otters 

 (Pteronura sandbachii) occasionally rose at a distance. 

 Of reptiles, snakes and alligators were conspicuous by 



