AND JOURNEY TO THE RIO DOCE. 185 



Linhares is a very agreeable residence for the lover of the chace : 

 for at day-break the monkeys come so near to the houses, that you 

 have not to go far in quest of them : parrots assemble in large flocks, 

 and the splendid maccaws are enticed in the cool season by certain 

 kinds of fruit. These large handsome birds generally build their 

 nests every year in the same tree, when they have once found a 

 strong hollow branch or trunk. They are frequently shot: their flesh 

 is eaten ; the quill feathers are used for writing, and by the savages 

 to feather their arrows, or by way of ornament. In these wilds, 

 which are but seldom disturbed, it is not difficult to return home in 

 the evening with a canoe loaded with game ; but in all hunting-ex- 

 cursions it is necessary to be constantly on your guard against the 

 savages. By frequent practice the soldiers of Linhares are well ac- 

 quainted with the manner of pursuing the savages in the forest, but they 

 all confess that the Botocudos are far more expert hunters, and better 

 acquainted with the forest than themselves ; hence the greatest pre- 

 caution is requisite in these engagements and enterprises in the woods. 

 In general the Mineiros (or inhabitants of Minas Geraes) are ac- 

 counted the best hunters of the savages, as they are familiar with 

 this way of life and skirmishing in the woods, and are also a bold 

 and hardy race. Here at Linhares, the last considerable enterprise 

 against the Botocudos was directed last August by the Guarda Mor, 

 who was a Mineiro, banished hither from Minas. We were presented 

 with some of the arms and ornaments of the Botocudos ; and even 

 offered a little child which was brought up at Bomjardim after its 

 mother had been killed in an action. The object of our visit to 

 Linhares having been attained, we took leave of it, to continue our 

 journey northward along the coast. We embarked in a large con- 

 venient canoe, lent to us by Lieutenant Calmon ; and the obliging 

 owner had the politeness to accompany us. In our way down the 



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