116 WANDERINGS IN 



Seconh the sun's rays may dry the nocturnal dew and ram which 



JOURXEV. 



they have received. On opening the stomach of the 



humming-bird, dead insects are almost always found 

 there. 



The Next to the humming-birds, the Cotingas display the 



gayest plumage. They are of the order of passer, and 

 you number five species betwixt the seacoast and the 

 rock Saba. Perhaps the scarlet Cotinga is the richest 

 of the five, and is one of those birds which are found in 

 the deepest recesses of the forest. His crown is flaming 

 red ; to this abruptly succeeds a dark shining brown^ 

 reaching half way down the back : the remainder of the 

 back, the rump, and tail, the extremity of which is edged 

 with black, are a lively red ; the belly is a somewhat 

 lighter red ; the breast reddish black ; the wings brown.. 

 He has no song, is solitary, and utters a monotonous 

 Avhistle which sounds like " quet." He is fond of the 

 seeds of the Hitia tree, and those of the Siloabali and 

 bastard Siloabali trees, which ripen in December, and 

 continue on tlie trees for above two months. He is 

 found throughout the year in Demerara ; still nothing 

 is known of his incubation. The Indians all agree in 

 telling you that they have never seen his nest. 

 The purple- The purplc-brcastcd Cotinga has the throat and breast 

 Cotinga. of a dccp purplc, the wings and tail black, and all the 

 rest of the body a most lovely shining blue. 



The purple-throated Cotinga has black wings and tail,^ 



