ANIMAL KINGDOM. 
91 
To return to the subject of this section, it may he 
observed, that in Trinidad we liave numerous feathered 
tribes. The birds are many, of different sizes, and of 
varied plumage. They range from the minute crested 
humming-bird to the kamichi, and the king of vultures. 
We shall mention only a few of them. 
Corbeau. The first thing almost- that will probably 
strike one on landing in Port of Spain is the corbeau, a 
long-legged, good sized black bird (inueli larger than a 
crow.) The probabilities are, that this gentleman in black 
will be seen busy in the gutter with some delicate morsel, 
upon which he appears so intently engaged as to bo per- 
fectly indifferent of anything going on around him. 
Indeed, the Avhole tribe of them seem to be quite aware 
that they are a privileged class, that no one can interfere 
with them, and this is so. They arc the unpaid scaven- 
gers of the Avholc island, and a law Avas in force, some 
time back, AAdiich forbade, under a penalty, the shooting 
of them. 
In the gulf the pelican and ciseaux-tail will be seen 
plying their fishing trade. The pelican is an ugly, grey 
bird, AAoth a heavy, clumsy motion in its flight ; and it 
seems almost ludicrous the Avay in AAdiich they tumble 
headlong into the Avater to catch their prey. They seem 
to haA'e much difficulty in rising from the Avater, and 
make use of their Avebbed feet to assist them from one 
element into the other. They have a long beak about 
nine or ten inches, under Avhich is a loose skin like a 
bag, AAdiich receiAms the fish until it is swallowed, Avhich 
is seldom done till the bird rises on the Aving. 
The colour is grey, and the spread of the Avings may 
be about three feet. They congregate on the islets 
about the bocas, and build their nests on lonely inac- 
cessible rocks. The ciseaux-tail is much more gracefu 
on the AAdng, its eye must be much keener, as it ’poises 
itself at a much greater elevation than the pelican ; and 
when it sees a fisli the wings are folded, and down 
comes the bird VAdth great speed into the Avater. 
