THE AMAZON DISTRICT. 
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I after. It ascends most of the tributaries of the Amazon, 
I but does not pass the falls or rapids. 
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I B . Birds. 
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I The birds of the Amazon district are so numerous and 
striking, that it is impossible here to do more than men- 
j tion a few of the most interesting and beautiful, so as to 
give some general idea of the ornithology of the district. 
Among the birds of prey, the most conspicuous are 
the King Vulture {Sarcorham;plius papa), and the Harpy 
Eagle {Thrasaetos Jiarpyia), both of which are found in 
the whole district of the lower Amazon. There is also 
a great variety of eagles, hawks, kites, and owls, and 
probably between twenty and thirty species may be ob- 
tained in the country around Para. 
Those two fine eagles, the Spizaetus ornatus and the 
MorpJims Guianensis, inhabit the Upper Amazon. 
Among the smaller perching-birds, the yellow-breasted 
tyrant shrikes immediately attract attention, perched 
upon dead trees in the open grounds. In the forests 
the cmious notes of the bush-shrikes {Tliamnopliilince) 
are often heard, and the ever-recurring vociferous cries of 
the great grey flycatcher (Lipangus simplex). 
Several pretty little tanagers are found about Para ; 
but the exquisite little seven-coloured tanager {Calospiza 
tatao), and the scarcely less beautiful scarlet and black 
one {Bhamphocelis nigrogularis), do not occur till we 
reach the Bio Negro and the Upper Amazon. 
The Chatterers form one of the most splendid families 
of birds, and we have on the Amazon some of the finest 
