SOUTH AMERICA. 
125 
"Wherever there is a wild fig-tree ripe, a numerous second 
species of birds, called Tangara, is sure to be on it. — u ' tyE * * 
There are eighteen beautiful species here. Their species, 
plumage is very rich and diversified ; some of them 
boast six separate colours; others have the blue, 
purple, green, and black so kindly blended into 
each other, that it would be impossible to mark 
their boundaries ; while others again exhibit them 
strong, distinct, and abrupt: many of these tangaras 
have a fine song. They seem to partake much of the 
nature of our linnets, sparrows, and finches. Some 
of them are fond of the plantations ; others are never 
seen there, preferring the wild seeds of the forest to 
the choicest fruits planted by the hand of man. 
On the same fig-trees to which they repair, and Manikin 
often accidentally up and down the forest, you fall species ' 
in wdtli four species of Manikin. The largest is 
white and black, with the feathers on the throat 
remarkably long: the next in size is half red and 
half black : the third, black, with a white crown : 
the fourth, black, with a golden crown, and red 
feathers at the knee. The half red and half black 
species is the scarcest. There is a creek in the 
Demerara called Camouni. About ten minutes 
from the mouth, you see a common-sized fig-tree 
on your right hand, as you ascend, hanging over 
water; it bears a very small fig twice a year. 
When its fruit is ripe, this manikin is on the tree 
from morn till eve. 
On all the ripe fig-trees in the forest you see the Thesmaii 
bird called the small Tiger-bird. Like some of our Tlgei ' bud 
