94 



JOURNEY FROM CAPE FRIO 



animated the whole scene. The lagoas were divided by dams, and 

 on these we found thickets, which were constantly haunted by birds 

 of prey, some of which we shot. On the bank of a lake I saw the 

 darter (plotus aiihinga, Linn.) which I pursued in vain. It was not 

 here in its proper haunts, the rivers, where we frequently shot it, in 

 the sequel of our journey. Four or five leagues from Battuba, there 

 is a place called Barra do Furado, where the Lagoa Feia is connected 

 with the sea, as is rightly noted in Arrowsmith's map *. 



We immediately made arrangements for the purpose of forwarding 

 our baggage and some of our hunters who still remained behind, to 

 the intended resting-place, in a large canoe belonging to a man who 

 lived here alone. We ourselves, on the other hand, continued our 

 journey along the downs, near the furious breakers, and were amused 

 with the sight of the numerous plovers f charadrius ), sand-pipers, and 

 oyster-eaters ( hcematopus), which on the retreat of every wave 

 picked up a great quantity of small insects. At a couple of poor 

 fishermen^s huts we were shewn the way, which on the land side was 

 bounded by extensive marshes where numbers of oxen and horses 

 were grazing. The multitude of ducks and marsh-birds which we 



de Janeiro, where it was formerly so frequent. HansStade says that the Tupin-Inba procured 

 thence those beautiful red feathers with which they adorned their persons. 



* The Lagoa Feia consists of two parts, connected by a canal ; their shape is not accurately 

 maiked in my map, because I only crossed them, and did not see their whole extent. Ac- 

 cording to the Corograjia BrasiUca, the northern part is about six leagues long from east to 

 west, and about four leagues in breadth ; the southern division about five leagues long, and 

 one and a half in breadth. It abounds in fish, and its water is sweet. Its extensive surface 

 is generally agitated by the wind, and therefore frequently dangerous for canoes ; for larger 

 vessels it has not sutficient depth. The Barra do Furado is dry in seasons when the water is 

 low. This whole tract has along the sea-coast a great number of lakes, several of which are 

 wanting in the map. With such abundance of water and the fertility of the soil, this part of 

 the country would soon become one of the most productive in Brazil, if it were inhabited by 

 a more active and industrious people. 



