378 
THE KAMICHI DESCRIBED. 
in small flocks, pairing off at the approach of the breeding-season. Of 
a peaceful disposition, they seldom make use of the weapons with 
which Providence has armed them; but, like the African secretary- 
birds, they pursue the serpent tribe with implacable hostility. Theii- 
movements are graceful. They walk lightly and swiftly ; their flight 
is bold and sustained, like that of the vulture. They do not seem to 
be able to swim. Their voice is sonorous, and rings like a clarion 
through the forest-colonnades. 
Their food is mainly vegetable, but, like most other birds, they do 
not disdain insects, reptiles, or small fish. They incubate in the inner 
recesses of the marshes, building a very large nest, in which the female 
lays a couple of eggs uniform in shape, size, and colour. 
The distinctive character of the kamichi is the short velvety 
feathers of the head and neck. The horned kamichi is the aniuma of 
the Brazilians, a large beautiful bird, one of the "superbest ornaments ' 
of the virgin forests of Brazil. On the summit of his whitish head his 
plumage is soft and velvety, each feather being almost black towai-ds 
the point ; the feathers on the cheeks, throat, neck, back, breast, wings, 
and tail are of a blackish - brown ; those of the great wing-coverts 
glister with greenish metallic reflections ; the small coverts are of a 
yellowish colour at the base ; round the neck and over the breast the 
tint is a silver gray, with a broad band of black ; while on the under 
parts spreads a pure and snowy whiteness. 
The Prince de Wied says of the aniuma, that he has never seen him 
except in the depths of the great virgin forest, and on the margin of 
the streams and shaded water-ways. There may be heard his loud 
peculiar voice, which resembles that of the wood-pigeon, but is much 
more piercing, and accompanied by some peculiar guttural notes. 
Sometimes he descends the sandy banks, and enters boldly into the 
water. In the breadth, and colour, and movement of his wings, he 
reminds one of the urubus. He takes up his position always on the 
elevated crest of a dense-leaved tree ; so that often, when his cry is 
audible, the bird himself is out of sight. 
During the breeding-season the aniuma is found in company with 
his mate; all the rest of tlie year he moves about with a little troop of 
