SOUTH AMERICA. 



137 



species, busy amongst the fallen leaves, or seeking insects Second 



Journey. 



at the roots of the trees. 



Here, too, you find six or seven species of small birds, 

 whose backs appear to be overloaded with silky plumage. 

 One of these, with a chestnut breast, smoke-coloured 

 back, tail red, white feathers like horns on his head, and 

 white, narrow-pointed feathers under the jaAv, feeds 

 entirely upon ants. When a nest of large, light, brown 

 ants emigrates, one following the other in meandering 

 lines above a mile long, you see this bird watching them, 

 and every now and then picking them up. When they 

 disappear, he is seen no more : perhaps this is the only 

 kind of ant he is fond of : when these ants are stirring, 

 you are sure to find him near them. You cannot well 

 mistake the ant after you have once been in its com- ^"ts- 

 pany, for its sting is very severe, and you can hardly 

 shoot the bird, and pick it up, Avithout having five or six 

 upon you. 



Parrots and Paroquets are very numerous here, and of Parrots and 



Paroquets. 



many different kinds. You Avill know wlien they are 

 near you in the forest, not only by the noise they make, 

 but also by the fruits and seeds which they let fiill while 

 they are feeding. 



The Hia-hia parrot, called in England the parrot of The Hia- 

 the sun, is very remarkable : he can erect at pleasure a 

 fine radiated circle of tartan feathers quite round the 

 back of his head from jaw to jaw. The fore part of his 



T 



