Through the ih-a::Hiaii IV'ihicrncss . 199 
for insects. The ( )veii-birils. whicli liad the carriage and 
somewhat the look of VVood-thruslies, I am sure would prove 
delightful birds on a close acquaintance; they are very 
mdividual, not only in the extraordinary domed mud nests t'.iey 
build, but in all their ways, in their bright alertness, their interest 
in and curiosity about whatever goes on. their rather jerky 
quickness of movement, and their loud and varied calls. With 
a little encouragement they become tame and familiar. The 
parrakeets were too noisy, but otherwise attractive little bi'ds, 
as they flew to and fro and scrambled about in the top of the 
palm behind the house. There was one showy kind of king-bird 
or tyrant flycatcher, lustrous black with a white head. 
" Next day we were ascending the Sao Lourenco 
. The Crested Screamers, dark grey and as large as turkeys, 
perched on the very topmost branches of the tallest trees. 
Hyacinth Macaws screamed harshly as they flew across the 
river. Among tne trees was the Guan, another peculiar bird as 
big as a big grouse, and with certain habtis of the wood-grouse, 
but not akin to any northern game-bird. The windpipe of the 
male is very long, extending to the end of the breast-bone, and 
the bird utters queer guttural screams. 
" Next day we were ascending the Cyaba River . . . 
There were various houses, sheds, and corrals near the river's 
edge .... Spurred Plover, or Lapwings, strolled famili- 
arly among the hens. Parrakeets and Red-headed Tanagers 
lit in the trees over our heads .... Black and golden 
Orioles, slightly crested, of two different species, were found 
along the river; they nest in colonies, and often we passed such 
colonies, the long pendulous nests hanging Irom the boughs of 
trees directly over the water. 
" On the morning of the 28th we reached the home 
buildings of the great Sao Joiio faacnda .... These 
caete flags stood above the other and lesser marsh plants. They 
were higher than the heads of the horsmen. Their two or three 
huge banana-like leaves stood straight up on end. The large 
brilliant flowers — orange, red, and yellow — were joined into a 
singularly shaped and solid string or cluster. Humming Birds 
buzzed round these flowers; one species, the Sickle-billed 
