xlii ITIXERARY. 



noisiest of all the parrots. It was always interesting to watch the 

 kestrels hovering for their prey, and to see them occasionally forced to 

 drop it, when just rising, uj^ a sudden dash on them, from some perch 

 close by, of the long and fork-tailed tyrant-bird, which thus easily 

 secures its food at times — presumably a matter of consideration to 

 them under the disadvantages of their very ungainly flight, especially 

 in high winds, when they are considerably hampered by their tail- 

 feathers being much blown about, the birds being often turned nearly 

 right over. The little yellow-faced kite [Gampsonyx swainsoni) is 

 commonly met with on these same parts of the plateau, and its absence 

 from the Roraima list is one of its surprises. Both these tiny hawks 

 are extremely common on the sandy wastes of the Rupununi savannahs, 

 especially in the extensive areas of cashew trees, about Kwaimatta, 

 where the " ki-ri-ri " of the kestrel and the " komeh-twi-twi " of the 

 kite — from which their Mdkushi names are derived — are some of the 

 most frequent and distinctive of the bird-notes. 



Many species of finches, some of which are known on the coast as 

 " grass- birds " and "grass canaries," are to be found about these high 

 savannahs, the most noticeable being the little SycaUs, specimens of 

 which would rise suddenly from the grass with a little startled cry, to 

 drop again quickly but a little aside, or in front, just as does the little 

 pipit, which,- while common at Roraima, is equally so on the wide sand 

 flats on the Korentyn coast. 



The district can hardly be regarded as a good one for mammals, 

 though no doubt specimens of many small species would well repay the 

 careful search of the naturalist. The great ant-bear, other ant-eaters, 

 armadilloes, agutis, and kibihees {Nasua) may at times be obtained in 

 the vicinity ; but game such as the savannah deer, the red brocket and 

 the wood brocket, and the peccary, can only be got by hunting-trips of 

 two or three days in the surrounding country, where also the jaguar 

 may be met with. On the return on the first journey, as we passed in 

 the late afternoon south-east of Waitipu (from which position the 

 mountain loses its peculiar dome shape, and lies extended like a lion at 

 rest with its head raised to the west), we had heard in a woo5 not far 

 away the peculiarly sharp roar of one of these '■' tigers," the cry being 

 repeated at short intervals, which caused the people to say that the 

 beast was hungry. Their skins are sometimes seen in the settlements, 

 mostly cut in strips or made up into hunting pouches ; and the claws 

 are prized for protection against the Keiiaima or bad spirit. The 

 canine teeth are used for the same purpose, and are very frequently 

 seen in necklaces, especially those worn by children. 



The reptiles, batrachians, and fishes would doubtless also well reward 

 careful and long-continued investigation, which is the great desideratum 

 for both the animals and plants in this difficult country of such varie(i 

 physical features. The fishes appear to be all of small species, for the 

 hooks asked for as barter are the vei-y smallest kinds. The frogs ar( 

 rather plentiful to judge from their calls ; and one small black anc 

 yellow species is much used in the near settlements as a beena, foi 

 good luck in hunting, several being tied up in leaves. The spawn oi 

 tadpoles are eaten in some places, where small pools or special recessei 

 in the sands along the swiftly running streams are prepared expressl; 



