322 
TRAVELS ON THE RIO NEGRO. \_September, j 
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t 
“ This coffee is very good/’ and then sipping again with | 
increased gusto. The bird evidently liked the true fla- 
vour of the coffee, and not that of the sugar, for it would “ 
climb up to the edge of the coffee-pot, and hanging on i 
the rim plunge boldly down till its little tail only ap- 
peared above, and then drink the coffee-grounds for five 
minutes together. The Indians in the canoe delighted I 
to imitate its pretty clear whistle, making it reply and 
stare about, in a vain search after its companions. When- 
ever we landed to cook, the Marianna was one of the 
I 
first on shore, — not with any view to an escape, but 
merely to climb up some bush or tree and whistle enjoy- 
ment of its elevated position, for as soon as eating com- 
menced, it came down for a share of fish or coffee. The I 
more sober Anaca would generally remain quietly in the ■ 
canoe, till, lured by the cries and whistles of its lively little • 
companion, it would venture out to join it ; for, notwith- 
standing their difference of disposition, they were great i! 
friends, and would sit for hours side by side, scratching | 
each other’s heads, or playing together just like a cat and 
a kitten ; the Marianna sometimes so exasperating the ^ 
Anaca by scratches and peckings, and by jumping down 
upon it, that a regular fight would ensue, which however 
soon terminated, when they would return to their former 
state of brotherhood. I intended them as presents to ■ 
two friends in Barra, but was almost sorry to part them. il 
On September 15th, exactly a fortnight after leaving | 
Sao Joaquim, we arrived safely at Barra. The whitened ■ 
houses and open situation of the city appeared quite J 
charming, after being so long accustomed to the mud- I 
walled, forest-buried villages of the Rio Negro. I found | 
