CHAPTER IV. 



MEXIANA AND MARAJo''. 



Visit to Olen'a — Habits of Birds — Voyage to Mexiana — Arrival — Birds — 

 Description of the Island — Population — Slaves, their Treatment and 

 Habits — Journey to the Lake — Beautiful Stream — Fish and Birds at 

 the Lake — Catching Alligators — Strange Sounds, and Abundance of 

 Animal Life — Walk back — Jaguar Meat — Visit to Jungcal in Marajo 

 — Embarking Cattle — llha das Frechas. 



Soon after our return to Para, my hand became so much 

 inflamed, that I was obliged to put my arm in a sling, and 

 go to a doctor, under whose treatment I remained a fortnight, 

 unable to do anything, not even pin an insect, and conse- 

 quently rather miserable. As I intended, as soon as possible, 

 going to the great island of Marajo, in search of some of the 

 curious and rare water-birds which abound there, I obtained 

 permission from Mr. C, an English gentleman, to visit his 

 cattle estates ; but as there was no canoe going there for some 

 weeks, I spent the interim at Olen'a, where M. Borlaz kindly 

 offered me a room and a place at his table. 



I found plenty of occupation in procuring specimens of the 

 various small birds, and making myself acquainted with their 

 habits. None were more abundant, both in species and 

 individuals, than the bush-shrikes, which are all remarkable 

 for the same kind of falling note I have already alluded to, 

 though each one has some slight peculiarity by which it may 

 be distinguished. They generally hide themselves in the very 

 thickest and most impenetrable bushes, where it is impossible 

 to see them except by creeping up within a distance of two 

 yards, when it is difficult to shoot without blowing them to 

 pieces. They are small birds with very loose, long, silky 

 feathers, prettily banded or spotted with black and white, and 



