226 
TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. [^December, 
fal, one only bringing in a gallo. The next day nothing 
at all was met with, and it was therefore agreed to move 
our camp to a spot some miles off on the other side of 
the serra, where was a feeding-place of the gallos. We 
accordingly started; and if our former path was bad 
enough, this was detestable. It was principally through 
second-growth woods, which are much thicker than the 
virgin forest, full of prickly plants, entangled creepers, 
and alternations of soft mud and quartz pebbles under 
foot. As our farinha was getting low, we had sent half 
our party home, to bring such a supply as would enable 
us to remain a week in our new camp. 
On reaching the place we found a pleasant open glade 
and low woods, where there had formerly been a small 
Indian settlement. It was much more airy and agree- 
able than our cave, so closely surrounded by the tall 
dense forest that scarcely a straggling ray of sunshine 
could enter. Here were numerous trees of a species of 
Melastoma, bearing purple berries, of which the gallos 
and many other birds are very fond. There was a little 
shed, just large enough to hang my hammock under; 
this we repaired and thatched, and made our head- 
quarters, where I soon established myself comfortably. 
We had not been here long before we heard the shrill 
cry of a gallo near us. All immediately started off, 
and I soon had the pleasure of again seeing this living 
flame darting among the foliage. My gun however had 
been wetted in walking so far through the dripping 
underwood, and missed fire. In the evening two fine 
birds were brought in, — a very satisfactory commence-, 
ment. The next evening the party who had gone to 
