136 



JOURNEY FROM VILLA DE ST. SALVADOR 



height. The j 1(0* uttered his deep loud whistle, in three or four 

 notes : he is heard at all hours of the day and even at midnight in 

 these immense forests. The flesh of this bird is as well tasted as that 

 of all the other species of the genus, to which the name of thiamu, or 

 inambu, is usually given. 



When we had passed through the wood, we found ourselves in ex- 

 tensive new plantations ; upon an eminence where ancient trunks lay 

 felled in all directions, mc had a most enchanting view over the 

 majestic wilderness, on the banks of the Itabapuana, which like a 

 stripe of silver issues meandring from the dark forests, and traverses 

 a verdant plain, in the middle of which rises the great fazenda of 

 Muribecca, surrounded by extensive plantations. All around, im- 

 mense forests border the horizon. The numerous negroes working in 

 the plantations, gazed with astonishment at our train, emerging from 

 the wood, like an apparition from another world. 



We first reached Guthigutl, which, together with Muribecca, is 

 denominated the fazenda de Muribecca : it formerly belonged, to- 

 gether with a tract of country nine leagues in length, to the Jesuits, 

 who erected these buildings ; but it is now the joint property of four 

 individuals. Here are still three hundred negro slaves, among whom 

 however there are not above fifty able-bodied men, who are under the 

 superintendence of a steward, a Portuguese by birth, who received us 

 in a very courteous manner. The labour to be performed here is very 

 fatiguing for the slaves ; it chiefly consists in clearing the woods. 

 The plantations are of mandiocca, millet, cotton, and some cofifee. 



* The tinamus noctivagns, a new, hitherto nondescript species of the tinamU or inambu. 

 It is smaller than the macuca (Tinamus Brasiliensis, Linn.) thirteen inches five lines long; 

 upper part grey brown ; back rather chesnut brown ; crown of the head deep ash blue, with 

 blackish spots ; lower part of the back and rump reddish, rusty brown; but all these parts 

 of the back are striped transversely with dark brown ; throat whitish, lower part of the neck 

 ash-grey ; breast bright, brownish yellow ; belly of a paler colour. 



