WOODPECKERS. 
547 
found all over Guiana as far as the Lower Amazons to the south, and as Venezuela 
to the westward. It is of a coppery-green colour, with a bluish sheen on the 
crown, the under surface being chestnut, the throat white, followed by a band of 
bright green across the breast, and the outer tail-feathers blackish. An allied 
species is the red-tailed jacamar ( G. ruficauda), which closely resembles the fore¬ 
going, but is distinguished by its rufous outer tail-feathers. It is an inhabitant of 
the same part of South America as the first, but does not extend into Amazonia, 
being found, however, further to the west, viz. in Colombia. In Trinidad, Mr. F. 
M. Chapman says that it is not uncommon at and near the borders of the forests. “ Its 
GKEEN JACAMAll (f Hat. size). 
appearance, at first sight, would seem to support its reputation for stupidity, but 
closer observation will, I think, induce one to believe that these birds are by no 
means so stupid as they have been said to be. They are the most expert flycatchers 
I have ever seen, and this in spite of the fact that the shape of the bill would 
seem better to fit them for almost any other mode of existence. Sitting all 
drawn in on a dead limb, generally near the ground, they may be compared to 
a set spring. Their watchfulness permits no insect to pass in safety. They 
maintain a constant look-out, turning the head quickly from side to side, above, 
or even half-way round. The dart into the air is made with wonderful celerity. 
Sometimes it is straight up, again at various ang_"s, and they go as far as thirty 
or thirty-five feet from their perch. As a rule they return to the same perch after 
each sally, and may occupy this for many minutes. As they rest they utter a 
singular call—a loud, clear, piping whistle, not unlike the call of a lost duckling. 
