TO CAPE FRIO. 



63 



marshy and reedy banks of this beautiful lake are seen large flocks of 

 the spur-winged water-hen and white herons, one of which latter was 

 shot by our huntsman : the milk-white plumage of this bird always 

 retains the most dazzling purity even in the marshes, on account of 

 its long legs. 



Not far from the lake, we came to a solitary venda, where travellers 

 usually refresh themselves during the hottest part of the day. Here 

 we learned, that the news of our approaching arrival had preceded 

 us, and that the landlord had already speculated in advance upon 

 our purses. On an eminence near this house, we were surprised by 

 a fine prospect of the lake, the ocean, and surrounding country. 

 Farther on, in the bushes through which our way led, we found a 

 bird which was as yet quite new to us, the greater ani ( crotophaga 

 major. Linn.) and in considerable numbers. Its plumage is black, 

 tinged with changeable hues of green and blue. At this place we 

 heard the dashing of the surge, and soon came to the sandy downs, 

 where the waves, covered with white foam, violently broke upon the 

 woody cliffs of the coast. Next to the white sand on the sea-coast 

 (Praya) is an intricate thicket of various species of dwarfish trees, 

 their growth being checked by the sea-winds and storms. In this 

 thicket, which is about twenty or thirty feet high, and through which 

 we continued our journey along the sea-coast, grow high cactus ; and 

 bromeliaSy adorned with beautiful flowers, are very plentiful. Small 

 lizards rustled among the dry leaves under the bushes, while the 

 greater ani, and the fijS, with its blood-red plumage, tended to give 

 animation to the scene. This beautiful bird is very common in Brazil, 

 especially near the sea-coast, and on the banks of rivers. 



Towards evening we were between the sea and a large reedy marsh, 

 in which flocks of birds were retiring to rest : the tije were numerous, 

 and the red-bellied thrush, here called sabiah, sat pouring forth its 

 melancholy though pleasing song on the tops of the bushes : in the 



