12 Correspondence


CORRESPONDENCE


MONS. DELACOUR IN VENEZUELA


Mr. Astley has received two letters from Monsieur Delacour

dated 21st November and 28th December, 1921, from Caracas, where

he had arrived on his way into Venezuela, in which country he is

collecting birds, hoping to be able to bring home some humming birds

in the spring, and many other species.


(1) “I have not been in the country yet, but in the town and suburbs

I have seen a good many Tanagers, Saffron Finches, Siskins (presumably

Chrysomitris cucullatus —H. D. A.), Keskadees, etc. Bird life is

plentiful. The bird market, of course, is the great attraction. I have

already bought a few birds, amongst them some wonderful and rare

Tanagers from the Andes. Calliste arthusi, the shape of the Superb

Tanager, head and chest golden orange, two black spots on the cheeks,

back, wings, and tail orange and black, sides of breast chestnut. Also

C. cyanoptera, crown black, head and back silver blue, throat silver-

green, the rest blue-black. Quite a number of Euphonias, head sky-

blue, neck and upper parts dark blue, underparts orange. I have also

other Euphonias and C. guttata, desmaresti, and nigriviridis. Red

Siskins and Mules (Canary and Red Siskin) and White-bellied Cardinals

are easily obtainable, but more expensive than the rare birds ! I also

have two nice species of Yellow and Black Siskins. I hope to get a

car this week, and will then begin to visit the interior of the country.

I have introductions to a number of very kind Englishmen living all

over Venezuela, and I am going to stay with several of them in the

interesting parts.”


(2) “ I am leaving Venezuela on Saturday for Trinidad. I have

seen a good part of the country, and want to see something

else. I shall stay a fortnight in Trinidad and shall go to the

Guy anas or Cayenne, where wild life is, I am told, wonderful.

Venezuela is by no means a beautiful country, and life is difficult here.

But birds are plentiful and very interesting. I have seen nearly all

that I was expecting to see. In the north of the country small birds

are very numerous. Tanagers of all sorts, Humming Birds, Tyrants,

Flycatchers, Siskins, Cardinals, etc., are everywhere. I saw numbers

of Parrakeets, Trogons, Jacanas, Puffins, etc. In the Apure country,



