590 New Publications. 



one of the Jabirus came with its measured step out of the gate. At the 

 first sight of this gigantic bird she stared with half-open mouth at what 

 she must have considered a monster ; at that moment the bird spread 

 its wings to their full extent, and changing its leisurely step into a 

 hop, it approached her rapidly : this was too much for her ; and throw- 

 ing the tray upon the ground, she fled for protection as quick as her 

 legs would carry her to the nearest shop, throwing together her arms 

 during her rapid flight violently over her head. The ridiculousness of 

 the scene cannot be described ; it must have been seen to conceive it. 

 I wished T had possessed the skill of a Cruikshank, in order to sketch 

 it when yet fresh in my memory. 



While they were in my possession I fed them on butcher's meat and 

 the offals of the kitchen. They sometimes got fish, but its high price 

 in Demerara did not permit me to feed them exclusively with it, 

 although they appeared to prefer it to any other food. When the food 

 was thrown in the air they caught it with great skill. They were very 

 voracious, and would frequently quarrel with each other for a favourite 

 piece. 



When irritated they clacked their beaks violently, and partly spread- 

 ing their wings, their appearance was certainly calculated to cause 

 some precaution. I have seen them strike with their beak towards 

 the face of those who irritated them ; and in one instance a wound was 

 inflicted, fortunately of no great moment. A dog stood no chance, as 

 the clattering noise and their appearance was quite sufficient to fright- 

 en him away. In their wild state they are fierce; and I have seen 

 them, although mortally wounded, defend themselves valiantly. 



The season was too far advanced to send the two young Jabirus to 

 Europe : and as I was on the eve of my departure to the interior, I 

 gave them away, and am not acquainted with their fate. 



All the pictures which I have seen of this bird are poor representa- 

 tions of it. It appears to be scarce in European museums ; and the one 

 which is preserved in the British Museum is not only in itself a poor 

 specimen, but is besides so injudiciously stuffed, that it does not convey 

 to the spectator any true resemblance of the bird in its natural state. 



The representatives of the swine in South America are the banded 

 or collared, and the white-lipped Peccari ; but although their form of 

 body, the length of the snout, and the shape of their legs are not mate- 

 rially different from the European swine, there are nevertheless differ- 

 ences, even in the outer appearance, which become evident when we 

 come to examine them nearer. Their body is not so bulky, the legs 



