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The fifth species which I have observed during my journeys in 

 Guiana is Didelphis dorsigera, L. and Temm. It is nearly the size of the 

 former, its fur of a brownish-grey, the tail thin, covered with hair for 

 about the fifth part of its length, the rest scaly, and of a uniform brown. 

 The spot which surrounds the eyes is of a darker brown than in the 

 former, but it is distinguished chiefly in the female's being without 

 an abdominal pouch, and merely provided with longitudinal folds near 

 the thighs, within which the young continue to suckle, or which serves 

 as a place of security in case of danger. I have seen this species in 

 a tamed state; it appeared however shy, and was fed upon milk 

 and bread, and plantains. They are said to be very partial to the 

 latter, and they frequent therefore the plantain fields in large numbers. 

 They produce from six to seven young ones. 



An individual of that kind, which had been kept for some time in 

 the house where I resided during my stay in Georgetown, met with 

 a tragical end. I had procured two young Jabirus (Mycteria Ame- 

 ricana) : the first exploit when landed and introduced to their new 

 domicile was, that one assailed the cage which contained the opos- 

 sum, and having seized the poor animal with its beak, drew it by force 

 through the bars of the cage, and swallowed it without further hesi- 

 tation. 



Having brought these Jabirus under the notice of the reader, I shall 

 leave the class Mammalia, and turn for a few moments to the Aves, in 

 order to indulge in a biographical notice* of these two interesting 

 individuals with an introductory remark on the whole tribe. 



The Jabiru, or Negrokoop, as it is generally known to such of the 

 colonists who have seen this bird in its natural haunts, frequents the 

 great savannahs of the interior and the marshy environs of the rivers 

 Pomeroon and Guainia, where they live on mollusca, crabs, frogs, and 

 other amphibious animals. While at Pirara, I saw them in flocks of 

 several hundreds feeding at lake Amucu, or on the marshy tracts along 

 the Pacaraima mountains. During our stay in that village several were 

 shot. Their flesh is palatable, and when prepared with the necessary 



* These notices of animals which inhabit Guiana are gleanings from my Journal, taken at 

 random as they occur, and without tying myself to any scientific arrangement or description. 

 Those who have thought the preceding observations worthy of their perusal, will be aware 

 that they do not pretend to scientific dissertations ; it has been my wish to make the reader 

 acquainted with the manners of such of the animated beings of Guiana as have come to my 

 knowledge and under my personal observation, disclaiming all scientific descriptions and dis- 

 cussions, which we will leave to a period when I may have gained by experience, and when, 

 not further urged by the desire of extending my travels, leisure may permit me to digest what 

 practical knowledge I possess. 



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