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Mrs. Wharton-Tigar —



common bird in Pernambuco; and, besides seeing a number in this

tree, I often heard their sweet little song when sitting in the garden

under the sapoti trees. These latter were just ripening, their

queer fruits rather like a bad pear !


The tree opposite my window was a great source of pleasure to

me; at five next morning I awoke and looked out, and had a

splendid view. Birds were constantly backwards and forwards—all

sorts of Quits and many varieties of the Blue Tanagers, some a

glorious powder blue, some grey, and some nearly green. I took

these to be Tanagra cana , T. episcopus, and T . sayaca. I never

managed to buy any of the Tanagra cana or of the glorious bright

blue ones that might have been something even better. I saw a lot

of lovely little yellow birds with orange red heads, which I know

now were Nemosia sordida. I also frequently saw a beautiful

Thrush with crimson sides, all sorts of Doves, and many other birds

which were too far off to be distinguished.


I lost no time in going to the market at St. Jose. This is a

very disappointing place for birds, but surprises do occur. The

bird portion is small and close to the sugar-cane section, where

there are stacks of long canes, and natives about, chewing

monotonously all the time. The birds are all together, usually in

very large cages. Among others were Pope Cardinals in rough

condition, Saffron Finches, the several grey Sporophila that they

call “ Patativas ” and which are bought by Brazilians as song birds.

Often there are big cages of Cassiques; I saw some very bright

yellow ones but did not buy any as they are not popular in

England. There were plenty of Brazilian Hangnests, which if

caught wild are quite cheap, but if pale coloured are hand-reared

and command a high price.


Soon after I landed and made inquiries about bird collecting

I was told of a Swiss who was very keen on birds, and who, they

told me, had reared Hummers from the nest. I lost no time in

finding out where he lived. His name is Mr. Cordier and he lives

with his charming Brazilian wife in a bungalow where he has quite

large aviaries, well equipped and thought out. I arrived there on

a Sunday afternoon and he took me round his aviaries at once.



