448 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



i 



Razor-hill Curassow. Guan. 



esteemed. It is rather larger than the common fowl, and the head is surmounted with a tuft- 

 ed crest. The Boat-bill (Cancroma cochlearea), a native of Brazil and Guiana, belongs to the 

 Heron family. It frequents the rivers and lakes of these warm regions, and, patiently keeping 



upon some overhanging branch, plunges with uner- 

 ring aim upon its finny prey beneath. A long, jet- 

 black crest, falling down upon its white back, pro- 

 duces a beautiful effect. Among the other birds of 

 this country are the Orioles, the Macaws, and the 

 delicate Humming-birds, which rival in beauty and 

 lustre, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, and dart 

 like beams of light from flower to flower. 



Boat-bill. 



Macaws. 



Manatees or Sea-cou-s are a cetaceous animal, found in the large rivers of South America. 

 They are herbivorous, and attain the length of from 10 to 12 feet. Their flesh resembles 

 pork ; oil is obtained from their fat, and cordage and whips are made from their hides. 



10. Inliabitants. The population of South America is composed of whites, native Indi- 

 ans, blacks, and mixed races. The whites, with the exception of the English, French, and 

 Dutch of Guiana, are principally of Spanish or Portuguese origin. They are found upon the 

 table lands, and sides of the Andes, and in the maritime regions, the greater part of the interi- 

 or being inhabited by Indians. The negroes are not numerous, except in the European colo- 

 nies of Guiana, and in the empire of Brazil, in both of which slaves abound. The Indians 

 are in part entirely independent of the governments, within whose limits their territories are 

 nominally included, and are in part converted to Christianity, and subjected to the established 

 authorities. Like the natives of North America, whom they resemble in their general physi 



