WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 97 



beautiful past description in their variety of tints, astonish- 

 ing in their form and size, and many of them noxious in 

 their qualities. 



He whose eye can distinguish the various beauties of 

 uncultivated nature, and whose ear is not shut to the wild 

 sounds in the woods, will be delighted in passing up the 

 river Demerara. Every now and then, the Maara or 

 Tinamou sends forth one long and plaintive whistle from 

 the depths of the forest, and then stops ; whilst the yelping 

 of the toucan, and the shrill voice of the bird called Pi-pi- 

 yo, is heard during the interval. The Campanero never 

 fails to attract the attention of the passenger: at a distance 

 of nearly three miles, you may hear this snow-white bird 

 tolling every four or five minutes, like the distant convent 

 bell. From six to nine in the morning, the forests resound 

 with the mingled cries and strains of the feathered race ; 

 after this, they gradually die away. From eleven to three 

 all nature is hushed as in a midnight silence, and scarce a 

 note is heard, saving that of the campanero and the pi-pi- 

 yo ; it is then that, oppressed by the solar heat, the birds 

 retire to the thickest shade, and wait for the refreshing cool 

 of evening. 



At sundown the Vampires, Bats, and Goat-suckers dart 

 from their lonely retreat, and skim along the trees on the 

 river's bank. The different kinds of Frogs almost stun the 

 ear with their coarse and hollow-sounding croaking, while 

 the Owls and goat-suckers lament and mourn all night 

 long. 



About two hours before daybreak, you will hear the red 

 monkey moaning as though in deep distress ; the Hoiitou, a 

 solitary bird, and only found in the thickest recesses of the 

 forest, distinctly articulates, " houtou, houtou," in a low and 

 plaintive tone, an hour before sunrise ; the maam -vvhistles 

 about the same hour ; the Hannaquoi, Pataca, and Maroudi 



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