192 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



resist the force of my bill : and were I even to pierce 

 througli it, there ■would be nothing inside that I could 

 fancy, or my stomach digest. I often visit them, it is 

 true, but a knock or two convinces me that I must go else- 

 where for support ; and were you to listen attentively to 

 the sound which my bill causes, you would know whether 

 I am upon a healthy or an unhealthy tree. Wood and 

 bark are not my food. I live entirely upon the insects 

 which have already formed a lodgement in the distempered 

 tree. When the sound informs me that my prey is there, 

 I labour for hours together till I get at it ; and by consum- 

 ing it, for my own support, I prevent its further depreda- 

 tions in that part. Thus I discover for you your hidden 

 and unsuspected foe, which has been devouring your wood 

 in such secrecy, that you had not the least suspicion it was 

 there. The hole which I make in order to get at the per- 

 nicious vermin will be seen by you as you pass under the 

 tree. I leave it as a signal to tell you that your tree has 

 already stood too long. It is past its prime. Millions of 

 insects, engendered by disease, are preying upon its vitals. 

 Ere long it will fall a log in useless ruins. Warned by 

 this loss, cut down the rest in time, and spare, spare the 

 unoffending woodpecker ! " 



In the rivers, and different creeks, you number six 

 species of the Kingfisher. They make their nest in a hole 

 in the sand on the side of the bank. As there is always 

 plenty of foliage to protect them from the heat of the sun, 

 they feed at all hours of the day. Though their plumage 

 is prettily varied, still it falls far short of the brilliancy dis- 

 played by the English kingfisher. This little native of 

 Britain would outweigh them altogether in the scale of 

 beauty. 



A bird called Jacamar is often taken for a king-fisher, 

 but it has no relationship to that tribe ; it frequently sits in 



