SOUTH AMERICA. 
117 
extremity, and the outside feathers are partly white second 
as in the boclora; its belly is entirely vermilion, a- 
bar of white separating it from the green on the breast. 
There are diminutives of both these birds ; thev 
have the same habits, with a somewhat different 
plumage, and about half the size. Arrayed from 
head to tail in a robe of richest sable hue, the bird 
called Rice-bird loves spots cultivated by the hand ^ R!ce ' 
of man. The woodcutter’s house on the hills in the 
interior, and the planter’s habitation on the sea- 
coast, equally attract this songless species of the 
order of pie, provided the Indian corn be ripe there. 
He is nearly of the jackdaw’s size, and makes his 
nest far away from the haunts of men ; he may truly 
be called a blackbird : independent of his plumage, 
his beak, inside and out, his legs, his toes, and claws 
are jet black. 
Mankind, by clearing the ground, and sowing a 
variety of seeds, induces many kinds of birds to 
leave their native haunts, and come and settle near 
him : their little depredations on his seeds and fruits, 
prove that it is the property, and not the proprietor, 
which has the attractions. 
One bird, however, in Demerara is not actuated The cas- 
by selfish motives : this is the Cassique; in size, 1 
he is larger than the starling ; he courts the society 
of man, but disdains to live by his labours. When 
nature calls for support, he repairs to the neigh¬ 
bouring forest, and there partakes of the store of 
fruits and seeds which she has produced in abundance 
for her aerial tribes. When his repast is over, he 
