Schomburgk's Account of Roraima. 301 



speckled Tanagra tatao, and the pink-headed Pipra 

 cornuta and serena were conspicuous. 



The large owl (Strix torquata,) and one Ralle 

 (Crex Schomburgkii) of the size of a sparrow, were 

 the only representatives of the higher classes of animals. 

 The latter, a new species, was always to be found in 

 pairs. Its forehead is red like iron rust, its wings dark 

 brown, the upper side of its body shows small white 

 specks beginning at the back of its head in closely 

 crowded tiny dots, increasing in size and spreading over 

 the whole of its back and wings. Its throat is white, the 

 breast the colour of iron rust, the abdomen whitish, and 

 the feet have a yellowish colouring. The pretty little 

 creatures are very easily caught, as their flying capacities 

 only carry them a little distance and they consequently 

 try to hide in the grass. I managed to keep a cock and 

 hen for a pretty long time in a cage, but the cock 

 escaped one day, and the hen died of grief the day 

 after. 



The numbers of berry bearing trees, especially of the 

 family of Laurineae and Sapindaceae which are to be found 

 here may account for the presence of Penelope. The 

 Penelope is an exceedingly cautious and shy bird, the 

 only chance for getting a shot at it being when it feeds, 

 during which time from 6 to 10 birds always colle6l on 

 one tree. If you come upon them under such circum- 

 stances you may succeed in killing 3 or 4 of them before 

 the other birds notice it and take to flight. The bird 

 that has been hit by the noiseless little arrow drops 

 from the tree without its companions allowing them- 

 selves to be disturbed in their feast beyond looking after 

 it with outstretched necks to inquire timidly the cause 



QQ 



