Herds of Wild Cattle. 
309 
and tlie Falco cacltinnans Linn, spies down from its tree top upon every 
lizard and snake. Pretty little pigeons ( Columba passer ina Linn, and (J. 
talpacoti Tem.) and Sturnella, Ludoviciana Bonap. search busily among 
the grasses for their food, while the cooing of a large species ( Colum'n 
rufina Tem.) sounds from out of the forested oasis. The carrion-crow 
( Cathartcs aura) circles silently around in the air, innumerable 
Mycteria Americana Linn, in conjunction with Ardca leuce 111., strut 
proudly about the swamps, the remnants of which are covered by all 
kinds of duck, while coveys of pretty little partridges ( Pcrdix enstata 
Lath.) pop their heads from out of the bushy spots and shyly draw 
back as soon as they observe the slightest sign of danger. All is quiet: 
only an isolated note now and again interrupts the profound silence, 
and yet the scattered herds of wild cattle, black and reddish-brown, 
grazing everywhere in the savannah tend to enhance the idyl still more. 
European cattle have multiplied at an inconceivable pace over the 
savannah flats south of the Pacaraima ranges especially towards the river 
Mahu, Takutu, and Rio Branco but not on the flats north and north-east 
of this range, even upon the Annay and Haiowa which nevertheless are 
connected with those of the Mahu. The herds of wild cattle that 
specially graze in the neighbourhood of Pirara probably originate from 
a farm that was started in 1796 with 50 head by Antonio Amorini and 
Evora at the junction of the Takutu with the Rio Branco. The cattle 
increased uncommonly quickly, but as the promoters carried on some 
rather nefarious practices, they soon got into trouble and had to make 
over the property to the Government which, up to now, still manages 
it. Every beast that does not have the Government mark branded on 
its right thigh is outlawed even on the Brazilian side of the border. On 
Pirara being taken possession of by the Brazilians a considerable 
'number of excellent cattle was brought to the neighbouring savannahs 
and pastured in the environs of the village. Friar Jose had also 
brought with him a considerable herd which was still under the super- 
vision of the three soldiers who partly milked them every morning before 
opening the pen, so that we were once more able to enjoy cafe an lait 
for a few days. The attempts of the British soldiers to utilize some of 
the tame oxen for transport turned out rather disastrously because 
several of the stubborn animals went off and away with the baggage and 
forced the disappointed drivers to collect it again after being scattered 
all over the savannah. 
865. As the militaiy authorities, like ourselves, did not want to take 
possession of the Public Buildings, in which Brazilian furniture and 
property were still to be found, before the arrival of the Commandant and 
Friar Jose from Sao Joaquim, and as the soldiers were to stay in the 
village only until such time as all the baggage had been brought here 
from the Awaricuru, the latter had pitched their tents alongside the big 
empty-standing building, and securely intrenched themselves to with- 
stand possible assaults. This action was rather facilitated by the large 
number of sandbags that they carried with them, so that there was soon 
to be seen through the loop-holes the sombre mouths of two cannon 
Which, every night and morning to the great delight of the Indians yho 
