SOUTH AMERICA. 



127 



the same habits, with a somewhat different phimage, and Second 



Journey, 



about half the size. Arrayed from head to tail in a robe 



of richest sable hue, the bird called Rice-bird loves spots ^j^d^ 

 cultivated by the hand of man. The woodcutter's house 

 on the hills in the interior, and the planter's habitation 

 on the sea-coast, equally attract this songless species of 

 the order of Pie, provided the Indian corn be ripe there. 

 He is nearly of the jackdaw's size, and makes his nest 

 far away from the haunts of men ; he may truly be 

 called a blackbird : independent of his plumage, his 

 beak, inside and out, his legs, his toes, and claws are jet 

 black. 



Mankind, by clearing the ground, and sowing a variety 

 of seeds, induces many kinds of birds to leave their 

 native haunts, and come and settle near him : their little 

 depredations on his seeds and fruits prove that it is the 

 property, and not the proprietor, which has the attrac- 

 tions. 



One bird, however, in Demerara is not actuated by The Cas- 



sique. 



selfish motives ; this is the Cassique ; in size, he is 

 larger than the starling ; he courts the society of man, 

 but disdains to live by his labours. When nature calls 

 for support, he repairs to the neighbouring forest, and 

 there partakes of the store of fruits and seeds, which she 

 has produced in abundance for her aerial tribes. When 

 his repast is over, he returns to man, and pays the little 

 tribute which he owes him for his protection ; he takes his 



