A history of the Brazil

by James Henderson

ZOOLOGY.

All the Species of Domestic Animals of the South of Europe here become more Prolific than in their native Country.

WILD QUADRUPEDS.

The Anta, which the Aborigines call Tapira, and Tapijerete, is the largest of the Brazilian quadrupeds, and does not belong to any known species, constituting of itself a distinct one in the history of animals. It is the size of a small heifer, and very similar to a hog in the figure of its body as well as in the shape of the ears, which are proportioned to its size. The hair is short and sleek; the legs are very thick and short; the hind feet have three hoofs and the front feet four; the tail is of a tapering form, with little more than three inches in length; the head is large and long; the eyes small; the upper lip is a musculous appendage, which the animal extends four inches beyond the lower one, or draws it in to the same length; the mouth is furnished with eight pointed teeth in each jaw, ten grinders in the lower, and fourteen in the upper. It pastures like a horse; and, although heavy, has considerable velocity in its career. It is timid and harmless, doing no injury even to the dog which pursues it. Being amphibious, it swims and dives in an extraordinary manner, and proceeds along the bottom of deep pools for a great distance, remaining for a long time under water without respiring. Its flesh differs from that of the ox only in taste and smell, and is eaten generally. It is of all colours.

There are three sorts of Mountain Boars; some are entirely black, some have the under jaw white, others, of a small size and gray, are call Caitetus: these become domesticated so as to accompany their master through the streets, without ever leaving him. Their flesh is not of such good flavour as that of the wild boar in Europe.

The Cachoro d’Agua (Water Dog) is small and web-footed, its tail is long and flat, and its hair exceedingly smooth and fine. It is amphibious, and goes almost always in the water, where it is said to be so ferocious that it kills ounces when they are swimming across rivers. When caught, it may be domesticated; but it never ceases to utter lamentations. It is only met with in the central rivers of the Brazil.

The Cao Silvestre, or Cachorro do Matto, (Wild Dog,) is small and strong, of a dark or ash colour, with a keen scent. It is a constant persecutor of the deer, and is said to be met with only in the southern parts of the river Contas.

The Capibara has the figure and size of a hog, short ears, the snout and teeth of a hare, thin and coarse hair, and large membranes between the hoofs. It always keeps near the water, is a great swimmer, and is mischievous: few people eat its flesh.

There are three sorts of Mountain Cats. The gray ones are denominated mariscos, the red and spotted ones maracaias. The latter are very large, and not always harmless.

The Caxingle is much larger than a squirrel, with little hair upon the tail, and of a gray colour; it seldom puts its feet upon the ground, but leaps from one branch to another, and thus traverses immense woods; is harmless, and lives upon fruits.

The Coelho, or Rabbit, differs only from that of Europe in having a shorter tail, and is not very numerous.

The Cotia is two spans in length, with long legs, small ears, the snout of a rabbit, hair strong and of a red colour, with scarcely any appearance of a tail. After being domesticated it proceeds into the fields, and returns again. Its flesh is dry and hard.

The Cuica is a species of amphibious rat, speckled with white and black, having a tail without hair. It eats fish and such birds as it can catch.

The Cuim is about the size of a leveret, has short feet, a long tail, and the snout of a squirrel. It is entirely covered with hair, and with prickles like pins, which defend it from other animals. It runs little, and lives on the ground.

The Guara has the figure of a wolf, and differs from it triflingly in the marks of its skin. It is only met with in the central provinces of Brazil, where it is not numerously seen nor so destructive as its species in Europe. It is, however, a great enemy to young calves: in some parts it is called a wolf; its skin and teeth are much esteemed.

The Guaracao is a species of large and wild dog, which does not confound or mix itself with any other of its kind.

The Guaraxaim is also a species of dog, about the size of a cat, and lives in subterraneous caverns, or burrows, which it forms expressly for its habitation. Every thing that it meets with in the campo, (field,) although not eatable, such as a hat or a handkerchief, it will drag to the door of its dwelling.

The Guaxinim is a species of fox, with a short and thick snout, feet rather long and open, and the breast large or full. It abounds most in the vicinity of the sea, and descends to the beach to procure crab-fish.

The Hirara, in some provinces called Papamel, has the appearance of a monkey seen at a distance. It is three spans in length, sharp snouted, with short legs, and a long tail; of a dark colour, with an ash coloured head; but it does not retain these colours in all the provinces.

The Iaguane is a species of small dog, marked with straight lines.

The Jaraticaca, or Cangamba, as it is called in some provinces, and which some consider of a species of pole-cat, resembles the squash of North America, and is remarkable, not only for its beautiful figure, its white and black spots, and shaggy tail, but for its singular and invincible power of defence, which it uses with facility against every enemy. This animal, on being assaulted, and sometimes before, emits a portion of urine so extraordinarily loathsome that the aggressor thinks only of the mode of deliverance from it. The dogs rub their noses in the earth, and men are earnestly desirous to free themselves from their clothes, which retain the odious smell. Occasionally some are killed before they use this defence, or unexpectedly before they see their enemy, or at a distance when they do not anticipate the hunter. A naturalist, who dissected the Jaraticaca, found near the urinal vessel a small receptacle of water, totally distinct from that of the bladder, and was persuaded that the fetid matter proceeded from thence. The fat of this animal, applied externally, is a very powerful emollient, and the flesh is said to have a good flavour when not infected with the fetid water; the skin is used for pockets: it passes for the civet-cat.

The Lontra, or Otter, is an amphibious animal, much larger than that of Europe, equally voracious and gluttonous of fish. The hair is red, short, and thick, and the skin esteemed.

The Moco differs only from the Rabbit in having neither ears nor tail, and is only met with where there are rocks, in the cavities of which it forms its dwelling-place. It is easily domesticated, and then it becomes daring, and will ill-treat and even make the dogs fly. It is a mortal enemy to rats, even more destructive to them than the cat. It is naturally extremely turbulent and treacherous, but without sagacity to execute its evil designs, falling a prey to its own temerity. The life of this animal is generally short.

There are numerous species of the Monkey, distinguished only by the size and colour of the hair. Those called by the Brazilians Guaribas generally proceed in bands, and, for the most part, along the branches of trees, where the whole body make a noise that is heard two miles off. The Sahuins, some of which are the size of a rat, are handsome, and esteemed for the white plumes or tufts that grow out of the ears. Of those called Barbados, the male has a sort of cup, formed of bone, in the throat, which produces a loud and hoarse sound. Amongst others we may notice those that have no regular dwelling-places, and do not put their feet in water. They pass rivers, forming a chain by holding fast to each other, but if they should happen to fall into the water they can swim like other quadrupeds. When they are on an excursion to rob the corn fields of maize, one is always stationed as centinel, in a proper place to discover the approach of the hunter. They have only one at a birth, which they carry upon the back with them for some days.

The Onca, or Ounce, is a species of immense cat, of terrible aspect, with a frightful yell, or roar. The largest is about twelve feet in length.

There are five different kinds. Some of a dark colour, with small brilliant jet black spots, denominated the Tiger; others spotted with black and white, or yellow, displaying much symmetry, and are properly called Ounces, or Panthers; a third, with very small speckles; a fourth with larger spots, called Canguçus; others, of a reddish colour, are the smallest, and are called Sucuarannas; the last only attack young cattle and small animals, but the former kill a horse or an ox in a moment. A bull grown to full maturity is the only quadruped which resists and is not alarmed at this forocious animal.

The hunting of the Ounce is less laborious but more dangerous than that of the Anta. The Brazilians generally hunt it in large parties, well armed with guns, lances, and pitchforks, always accompanied with dogs, and the greater the number less dangerous is the chase. Although this beast is much larger, possesses incomparably greater strength, and is infinitely swifter than the dog, for which it has a mortal hatred, on seeing one it always retires, as if having a presentiment of the approach of the hunters. It does not proceed far till it climbs a tree, or, if hard pressed, makes a terrible braying, and furiously attempts to catch some of the dogs, and if one comes within reach of its paws it has not much chance of escape. If the hunter does not take his aim well, so as to kill the Ounce upon the spot, it flies directly to the place where the smoke came from, and his fate is inevitable, unless his companions destroy it with their arms, or he is prepared with a lance to despatch it when it makes the last spring. It seizes upon its prey first with the paws and then with the teeth.

The Paca is a heavy creeping quadruped, little more than two spans in length, without a tail, having small ears, the snout of a rabbit, coarse strong hair, and is of a reddish colour, with small white spots along the sides, and streaked with the same colour along the back. It is the best game of the country, and is divested of its hair and prepared for the table similarly to a sucking pig.

The Porco-espim, or Porcupine, is of the size of a cat, with a long tail, and covered with long sharp-pointed quills, but its head has a greater resemblance to that of a dog. It is most numerous near the central rivers.

The Preguica, or Sloth, is a stout short quadruped; very lazy; covered with long thick hair; having stout legs armed with large paws; a small head, and round physiognomy, with some similarity to a monkey without ears or tail, and climbs trees. It subsists upon leaves. Its extreme slowness gives rise to its name. It is asserted in the Poem of Caramura that it possesses this tardy propensity to such a degree that in a few paces it consumes a whole day.[45]

The Preha is of the size and colour of a leveret, with the snout more rounded; the ears are very small and membranous, and it is without a tail. It can swim small brooks and rivers, and is esteemed good eating, particularly by the negroes.

The Quati is very similar to a fox, at the first sight, chiefly in the head, but its ears are shorter, rounder, and less hairy. Its hair is also long, thick, and soft, like the fox, of which it has the physiognomy. The legs are short and thick, the feet long, with five toes, furnished with claws, with which it climbs trees and digs up insects. The tail is long and round, gradually growing smaller to the extremity, and varied with a succession of rings; the mouth is long, becoming smaller towards the extremity, like that of a hog; the mouth is large, with teeth similar to those of a dog; the under jaw is almost an inch and a half shorter than the upper. This animal may be so domesticated that it will accompany its master into the campos like a little dog; but its natural restlessness requires it generally to be confined. There are two sorts of this quadruped, differing only in size. The small class always proceed in bands, and are called quati-monde.

The Ropoza, or Fox, is less than that of Europe, equally subtle, and even more destructive in the damage it does to the cane plantations and melons. Its skin is used only for housings.

Amongst the various races of Rats is the Rato de Espinho, (the Prickly Rat,) which is large, white bellied, its upper part ash-coloured, and its sides furnished with prickles. It is agreeable to the sight, without smell, and its flesh is esteemed good.

The Sarohe, or Gamba, a species of the Oppossum, is as large as a middle sized cat, with the form of a rat, of a disagreeable aspect and nauseous smell; the legs are short; the feet and ears like a rat; its hair is thin, long, and sleek; the tail long, becoming small towards the end, and without hair. It has the head and snout of a pig, a large mouth, with the teeth of a dog. This animal is one of the most remarkable objects in Natural History in consequence of a second belly, or womb, which it has below the upper or natural one, with an opening, or mouth, at the fore part, within which it carries its young till they arrive at an age to procure their own subsistence. Some say that this quadruped engenders and brings forth its young like other animals, and, after their birth puts them into this sack, where, in fact, they can only obtain suck, the mother only having teats in the upper belly. Others pretend that the young organize themselves by being attached to the dugs, from whence, at maturity, they fall into the sack. It is, however, certain that the young are found drawing nourishment from the paps of the mother, by which they are suspended and cling firmly to them, even when without hair and very small. They are great destroyers of poultry, and passionately fond of cachaca, or rum, with which they are easily caught, as they soon become intoxicated.

The Savia is like a leveret, with hair similar to that of a hare, and a long tail; breeds in holes or pits; eats fruit; and is much esteemed for its flesh. It is thought to be a species of the caxingle.

There are two breeds of Tamanduhas, or Ant-Bears, small and large. The larger, called Tamanduha-bandeira, is of the bigness of a middling sized hog, to which it assimilates in the body, having the bristles of a wild boar, black and thick, with gray marks on each side; the ears are round and extremely small; the snout very long and tapering, having the appearance at its termination of that of a lamb; its mouth is very small and without teeth; the tongue exceedingly long and narrow, with which it catches the Cupim-ant, its only aliment; the tail is long and shaggy, and curled back towards the neck from whence its name is derived, (bandeira, flag or ensign;) it has short and very thick legs with five toes on each foot, each toe being furnished with a short and thick claw. It imprints a foot-mark like a child’s, runs little, scarcely makes any exertion to escape from its aggressor, and when irritated will advance against a man; but it is only necessary to give it a blow upon the snout and it falls dead on the ground. When it perceives itself attacked it lies on its back and waits for the enemy, which on drawing near, it instantly fastens upon, and will never leave its hold unless the tendons of its legs are cut. Ounces have been found dead with Tamanduhas, firmly fastened to each other. For hunting this animal, the flesh of which is insipid but medicinal in certain diseases, it is necessary to have a dog that will trace its track, but, in order not to run any risk, it is necessary that it should be timorous and cautious.

The Tatu, or Armadillo, of which there are various sorts, differing only in the size and the number of bands of shells which cover them, is of a wonderful figure; the head and ears are similar to those of a pig, the eyes small, the snout long and pointed, the mouth small, the tail long, somewhat similar to the tail of a rat. The legs are short, and the feet are furnished with large and strong claws, with which they can burrow a hole in the ground, for their safety, almost in an instant. This quadruped is covered with a coat of mail, which in its conformation is one of the most extraordinary phenomena in Natural History. The body is dressed in shells, disposed one over the other as in the tail of a lobster, and forms a sort of housing cloth, that conceals the belly; the whole uncovered with hair, and black. Some of the kinds, when danger is near, can roll themselves up entirely in the shell, like a hedge hog, but others not so completely. That kind denominated Tatuim, or Tatuette, is small. The Verdadeiro is larger, and its flesh good,. The Peba has a flat head. The Canastra is of the size of a pig, and its flesh unwholesome. The Bola, (or Ball,) so called in the Brazil, in consequence of concealing all its members under its shell, is of a whitish colour, and its flesh of good flavour.

There are five sorts of Deer, Galheiros, which are large; Sucuaparas, do mato (of the woods;) Catingueiros[46] and Campeiros.[47]

The amphibious monster, with the figure of a lizard, resembling the crocodile in Africa and Asia, has, in the Brazil, the name of Jacare, or Aligator, and is met with in all the lakes and rivers of tranquil current.

The plains of Brazil abound with a great number of Land Tortoises, which never enter the water; their flesh is of fine flavour, and the liver is considered delicious.

Man has less to fear from wild beasts in the Brazil than from reptiles, the species of which are various, and some exceedingly numerous and generally venomous.

The Sucuriuba are affirmed to grow to the extraordinary length of forty feet, and are confined to lakes and pools of dead water, firmly attaching its tail to a root, or the point of a stone at the bottom of the water; it seizes all living animals that approach the margin, and swallows the whole, as a snake in Europe would a mouse or any small animal. It makes a hollow noise below the water, on hearing any sound from without: the otter is its greatest enemy.

The Surucucu, or Surroco, seldom exceeds fifteen feet in length, is of proportionable width, and usually met with in cool and shady places. Its tail is armed with two spears, and its bite is cured with difficulty. Its skin is marked with great symmetry, and is of an ash colour, with brownish spots, and covered with scales.

In the beginning of 1819, a gentleman accompanied by six other persons arrived one evening upon the margins of a lake, near the river Pardo, in the province of St. Paulo, where they dismounted to take some repose. They perceived at a short distance what they supposed to be the trunk of a tree, which shortly afterwards began to move; the contents of a gun was immediately discharged at it, and they then despatched it with their knives. It was a Serpent of the surucucu species, and the gentleman above mentioned assured me that it measured twenty-one feet in length, and four in girth. He had a variety of articles besides several pairs of boots made from its skin, in the city of St. Paulo, one pair of which I brought with me to England. The torpid state which this serpent at first exhibited, arose from its having recently gorged a young bull.

The Jiboia, which is scarcely distinguishable from the preceding serpent in size or colour, has no spears to its tail, nor does it bite. When it seizes any living creature it is always for the purpose of eating it. It never attacks its prey without first winding its tail round the trunk of a tree, in order that its prisoner may not drag it away, and, after having fatigued it by its first attack, it then draws itself so closely round the animal that it breaks its bones and kills it.

The Cobra, of Cascavel, or Rattle Snake, is so called in consequence of its tail terminating with some similitude to the husks of a species of dried pulse. It has scarcely the thickness of a man’s leg, with proportionable length. It never bites without beating three times with its cascavel, or rattle, upon the ground, and its bite is almost always fatal. It is said that the number of the divisions of the tail is equal to the age in years of this snake. The snake caninana is very long, of a slender form, black and spotted with yellow. The jararaca is a species the most numerous, and its bite is fatal. That denominated the cauda-branca (white tail) is not more than a span in length, and there is yet no known antidote against its venom. The living creature that has the misfortune to be stung by it immediately becomes convulsed, sweats blood, and expires in a short time. The jararacucu is of a deep green colour, of considerable length, and slender. Its bite is generally mortal.

The Cobra de Coral (Coral Serpent) is small, of slender form, venomous, and beautified with rings of various colours.

Duas Cabecas, (Two Heads,) so called because all its length is of the same thickness. It is also venomous. It is said that the best antidote for its bite is to eat the liver of the said snake.

The Cobra Verde, or Green Serpent, is of little length, and very small.

The Papapintos is a large gray snake, said to be harmless. It is seldom met with but upon the margins or in the vicinity of lakes, where it catches toads and rats.

There is another species of serpent, called by the Brazilians Campo-limpa, (Field Cleaner,) in consequence of its cleaning the fields of the smaller snakes. It is light coloured, with a yellowish cast, ornamented with a variety of spots, and is about six feet long. Almost all these species of snakes are said to be viviparous.

The Padre Manoel Ayres de Cazal says, that in the parish of Muritiba, near Cachoeira, in the province of Bahia, a serpent was shown to him, killed within an hour, as a curiosity, in consequence of being wholly unknown to the people. It was scarcely a foot in length, but thick and round, and smooth as an eel, to which its head assimilated. The tail was short and pointed in a pyramidical form. It had four feet extremely small, without any appearance of legs.

In the Brazil there are various species of Spiders, which furnish excellent silk.

The Caranquejeira, so denominated in consequence of being of the size of a moderate sized caranguejo, or crab-fish, is covered with long hair, and is venomous.

The Cigarra, or Cricket, has more of the species of beetle than the locust.

The species of Butterflies are here very numerous, as I have before observed. A collection of sixteen hundred different sorts has already been made in the Brazil, and unquestionably there are an infinite number yet for collection to occupy the industry of the naturalist. The most beautiful are found in the vicinity of the tropic and the temperate zone.

There are also a great variety of flies and phosphoric insects, which illuminate the hedges at night by the brilliant lights they emit.

There are also a great diversity of Ants. The most remarkable are those of Mandioca, of Correiçao, and the Cupim. The first are of a reddish colour, and a pest to agricultural productions, as well as fruit trees, such as the orange, and others equal in size or larger. It is necessary every day, in order to preserve the mandioca from the destructive attacks of this insect, to lay something for them to eat, in order that they may not devour the plantations at night or strip the trees of their foliage. It is during the night alone that they commit these depredations. They form spacious subterraneous cavities, with many entrances and outlets, distant one from the other. When it happens that they form this cavity below the foundation-wall of a house sometimes it sinks, and, during the rainy season, most probably falls to the ground. The Correiçao[48] Ant is small, and moves from one district to another in innumerable legions, covering many roods of territory in their march. No living insect can remain upon their line of march: the smaller ones are killed, and the larger obliged to fly. The Cupim is a small Ant, light coloured, and flat, subsisting upon the flour or small particles of wood, with which, and a species of glue that issues from its body, it constructs an arch or vault over the road by which it travels, in order that it may not be seen by other insects and birds which destroy it. It is very destructive to the timbers of dwelling-houses, and builds its residence in the ceilings of the same materials, in a round form full of little cells; sometimes it constructs it upon the points of branches of trees, but the greater number of Cupims erect them upon the ground, with earth, rendered solid by the admixture of the said glue, the whole of the interior being full of cells, saloons, and covered ways: their form is pyramidical, some with many feet in height, and they resist for several winters the tempests of rain that assail them; but the claws of the ant-bear crumble them to dust in a moment, when their inhabitants are as quickly devoured.

There are divers species of the Bee, but none of them can be compared with the European bee in the utility and excellence of its honey.

That called Urucu is the most numerous, and of a gray colour. Its hive is of wood, and the door is an orifice by which one can pass commodiously at a time, and where there is always one upon the watch, with its head out, in order to impede the entrance of small insects. This sentinel is subject to the inconvenience of drawing back upon the entrance or going out of any one of the commonwealth. The mumbuca is of a blackish colour. The mandassaia is black and short. These three kinds are of the size of the European bee. The tubim is smaller. The theuba is also small, and of a yellow cast. The cupimeira, so denominated because it occupies the houses deserted by the Cupim ant, makes good honey. The tatahira and the saranho are the only species that are mordacious. The getahi is of the size of a mosquito, and manufactures a honey of a very liquid and delicious nature. The caruara is a little larger than the preceding. The pregiuçoza is of the size of the getahi, and produces an insipid honey. That named mosquitinho is very small and black, and lives on the ground. None of these species form the honey-comb like those of Europe; the combs are round, and the cells unequal, in the form of a bubble, without regularity, and the wax is more or less glutinous, and never has the whiteness of that of the old world. All the bee-hives, of whatever species of bees they are, have few inhabitants, comparatively speaking.

There are also various casts of Wasps, or Morimbondos, as they are called in the country. The inxuy is delicate, and makes its habitation generally of a round form, plain, and of an ash colour, attached to a branch, or fastened to some plant; its combs are deep, and introduced one into the other, the orifices or cells are full of a yellow savoury honey, which ultimately becomes like refined sugar. The inxu is large, fabricates its combs according to the method of the preceding, and fills them with most excellent honey.

If the Brazil cannot boast of so great a variety of quadrupeds as some countries, perhaps no other region of the world equals it in the innumerable species of birds which it possesses, more wonderful still in the beauty of their plumage and variety of their song.

Amongst them are those which follow, namely: —

The Alma de Gato (Soul of a Cat) is of the size of a pigeon, the lower part ash-coloured, and the upper of a gold colour, with a long tail, short and curved beak. It has no song.

There are various kinds of Andorinhas, or Swallows, distinguished alone by the size or the colour, being more or less black.

The Anum is of the size of a blackbird, the whole of a brilliant and jet black, the tail long and rounded, with only eight feathers. The bill curved, thick at the root, and the upper part pointed. Its song is a kind of sad lamentation; and its flight is short. They always proceed in flocks not very numerous, and never alight upon high trees. It is said that these flocks all lay their eggs in one common nest. It is, however, certain, that if the nest of these birds is found with a great number of eggs, there are numerous compartments, and the various little nests are separated by portions of dried grass. There are other casts of the Anum, of the size of the preceding one, but of an ash-colour, with a slender beak, a little curved, and a tuft or plume of feathers, which it elevates and lowers at pleasure.

The Araponga, or Guiraponga, is of the size of a small pigeon, white as snow, with a beak wide at the root, a portion unfeathered, and of a green colour around the eyes. This bird perches upon the top of the highest trees in the woods, and there passes the principal part of the day in a song, which imitates well a farrier just finishing a horse’s shoe upon the anvil.

Azulao is a species of sparrow, of an indigo-colour, which, after being accustomed to the cage, imitates various other small birds.

Bemtevi, so called by the Europeans in consequence of its articulating with accuracy the words which compose its name, is the size of a lark, with a white circle around the head, a thick and pointed bill, having a yellow belly, and a gold colour above.

Bicudo is a kind of sparrow, either of an agate or gold colour, sings, and has a very short thick bill.

Barbudo is little less than a blackbird, also black, with a large white spot on the back, and a yellow one on the neck, a short tail and legs, a large head, with thick eyebrows, a jet black bill, a little curved and pointed, having whiskers.

Cabeca de Rubim (Head of Ruby) is a species of duck, of a green colour, with a little crimson cap, which it conceals at pleasure, as well as the feathers of its sides. The female has a larger and black cap.

Cabore is the small Spanish owl.

Caiçu, which signifies large head, is of the size of a lark, of a disagreeable aspect, with the wings and tail of a tobacco and the belly of an ash colour, having a white spot upon the neck, the upper part of the body gray and speckled with white, a thick neck and bill, the latter black pointed.

Canario (Canary) has the form, and almost the same colour, but not the song of those of the Canary islands. It is the first amongst the small birds that announces the dawn of day.

Cancao is of the size of a blackbird, the belly white, the upper part dark, with a long round tail, and white at the extremity. The fore part of the head, neck, and breast, are of a jet colour. It has a large white spot upon the back part of the head, a small black crest, a small round spot above the eyes, beginning with blue and finishing in white; the iris is yellow, which it extends and compresses, and the beak thick and short. This bird always goes near the ground, and on perceiving any living creature immediately gives a signal. It is the most choleric bird of the country, and a destroyer of the others, eating the eggs and the young ones whilst unfeathered.

Cardial (Cardinal) is a little larger than the linnet, which it resembles. It has a small crimson cap, or hood, which covers a part of the neck, and from which it derived the name: its song is loud and pleasant.

Carrica (Hedge-sparrow) differs from that of Europe only in being a little larger, and less fearful. It makes its nest, with little care, in inhabited houses or the fields.

Chama-Coelho is a little less than the blackbird, with a black head, the lower part yellow, and the upper of a tobacco colour.

Cegonha, or Stork, is common, and similar to that of Europe.

Cazaca de Coiro is of the size of a lark, yellow above, and gray under the belly.

Colhereira, which with justice has the pre-eminence of king amongst birds of the morasses, is the size of a large capon, without a tail, of a rose colour above, the belly white, with long legs, long white neck, the bill also long and thick at the root, square in the middle, wide and flat at the point, like a Spatula.

Colibri, or Humming-bird, and known in the Brazil only by the name of Beija Flor, (Kiss the Flower,) is the smallest bird existing. Mr. Robert has represented it to be as small as a fly, in which he does not appear to be correct, as none so diminutive are seen in this country. Their varieties have been stated at six or seven, but there are a great many more: Padre Cazal has seen ten different kinds. An European would never have supposed that a bird so small as the end of one’s finger could exist, furnished as it is with a bill, feathers, wings, and intestines, similar to the larger kind, and he would be naturally disposed to consider it but a creature of imagination, until he visited its native country, and daily beheld it fluttering like a butterfly at every flower, and humming a gentle chirrup. It has long wings compared with the size of the body. The largest, of the size of a very small wren, are of an indigo colour, with a white spot upon the back. The second species differ only from the first in being smaller and not having a spot, both have a long tail much forked. The third kind and size are gray, and make their nests in inhabited houses, in the form of a little pocket, suspended from the point of a straw. The fourth variety are entirely green. The fifth are the same colour and size, with a white spot upon the breast. The sixth differs only from the preceding in having a very short tail. The seventh is of the same colour and size, with the tail yellow. The eighth is the colour of the nightingale, the breast finely speckled with white. The ninth is of a brilliant green, with the wings and tail dark, the beak short, slender, and yellow. All the others have it long, pointed, very delicate, and straight, with the exception of the gray ones and those of the nightingale colour, who have it a little curved. The tenth kind is dark, or almost black, with a short tail of the colour of fire, the bill black, and of medium length; when turned towards the spectator, the throat and breast exhibit at one instant various colours, according to the movements of the bird, at one time that of Aurora, when most bright, or like gold melted in the crucible, followed, on a sudden, sometimes by a suffusion of green, at others by blue, and by white, without ever losing an inimitable brilliancy. The head, which is black, appears ornamented with a little crest of the same colour when the bird has its side towards the observer, and when it presents the front it appears studded with sparkling rubies, or all of a brilliant scarlet, which insensibly changes to refulgent yellow. They generally have the tongue very long, the legs exceedingly short, and the eyes black; their principal aliment is the juice or honey of flowers, which they extract, not as the bee but in the same manner as the butterfly. Some of them have the tongue cleft.

Ema, or Emu, is the Ostrich of the old world, and is the largest bird of this country; its body is round, and covered with long gray feathers, standing on end; the legs thick and long, with three short and stout toes; two sort of spears are at the joints of the wings, which are not sufficient to fly with, but in the plains it surpasses the horse in swiftness, and is difficult to laço, even when the laçador is mounted upon a fleet horse. It has no tail, and when it elevates its head it is the height of a man. Its feathers are esteemed for plumes, and the skin is used for shoes.

Encontro is the size of a greenfinch, long, delicate, and dark, with a yellow spot at the joint of the wing. There are two other sorts, of a jet colour, one of which has white spots, and the other red.

Feiticeiro is the size of a lark, between yellow and green on the upper part, the belly ash colour, with the bill of a blackbird, eyes like rubies, and a small crest,

Galleirao is the size of a pigeon, the upper part green, and the lower purple, with a very short tail, long yellow legs, the neck slender, the head small, with a flat comb, smooth and white, the bill short and thick and the colour of red sealing wax, with the extremity yellow. It frequents the margins of lakes, and its flesh is savory. There is another species of this bird, somewhat varying from it.

Gallo do Bando is the size of a sparrow, black, with a white spot upon the back, and the top of the head green, having a long tail. Guara, one of the handsomest birds that frequent the morasses, has the body similar to a partridge, a long neck and legs, with the bill long and a little curved, and without a tail. The first feathers are white, after a short time they turn black, and finally scarlet, preserving the second colour at the extremity of the wings.

Garca, or Heron, consists of small and large white ones, and also others which are large and of an ash colour.

Gaviao, or Hawk, includes various kinds, of which the Cauhan is small, and the Corocuturu gray, being four spans in length from the head to the extremity of the tail, and will seize a small monkey and fly away with it with great facility.

Grunhata is the size of a robin-red-breast, yellow below and on the front of the head, the rest of a dark colour, except some blue parts. Its song is harmonious. There are other sorts, some of them yellow, with the tail and wings green, and a black stroke the whole length of the lower part.

Jaburu is larger than the turkey-cock, without a tail, and white as snow; the neck, legs, and bill are very long; the latter is pointed.

Jacanan is little less than the thrush, the breast green, the upper part of a tobacco colour, with the wings short and round, the tail very short, with eight small feathers, the eyes and legs of a rosy hue, a fine bill, and a green spot on the front part of the head. It goes always upon the ground.

Jacu is the size of a large capon, black, with the figure of a turkey-hen.

Jacutinga is a little larger, with the same figure and colour, having green legs, and half of the wings white, a green bill and large black eyes, the feathers on the upper part of the head are long and white, the breast is speckled with white.

Jacu-Pemba is smaller than the first, with the breast of an ash colour. The aracuan is also a species of jacu, the size of a pigeon, with the tail and neck long, of a dark yellowish hue. These four birds have wattles at the throat similar to a turkey-hen.

Japu is the size of a pigeon, black, with a yellow tail, the bill of the same colour, thick, long, round, and finely pointed; when it sings it suspends itself by the feet, at the same time beating with its wings.

Japue is less, and of the same colour, with a large green spot upon the back, the eyes small and the iris blue. Both construct the same kind of nests, which are remarkable for the form and for the art with which they make them at the extremity of the highest horizontal branches, in the shape of a bag or pocket, and five or six spans in length; they are of moss, woven in such a way that they move continually to and fro with the wind, without sustaining any injury. Such is their precaution to prevent their young from being injured by surrounding enemies. They destroy oranges profusely to obtain the seed.

Inhuma is the size of a capon, with dark sides, the belly ash colour, and the wings of an extraordinary length, being ten spans when extended, each with two spurs of an unequal size, and a horn of a bony substance half a span in length and the thickness of a large turkey-quil, sharp pointed, and a little curved at the extremity, with a magnetic virtue, and also with the property of counter-poison. When about to drink it introduces this antidote against poison into the water, and the birds and quadrupeds near it, it is said, then only drink. Its flesh is spongy and not eaten. There are other kinds of this bird about the size of a pigeon.

Joao-de-Barro is a species of lark, yellow, with a whitish streak above the eyes, and only remarkable for the arrangement of its nest of burro, or clay, from which its name is derived. The nest is constructed with much art and perfection between the forked branches of a tree, and consists of a corridor, something more than a span in length, having a window at the end, between it and an apartment almost of the same length at one side, whose entrance is small, and always on that side the least exposed to the wind. This edifice withstands the winters for many years.

Joao Tolo (Foolish John) is the size of a bullfinch, of a greenish changeable colour above, the belly yellow, with a white spot upon the throat, the neck very long, the bill also long and pointed. It is tame, and without any song.

Lavandeira is small and white, with the wings black.

Amongst various sorts of Macaricos, which inhabit the margins and lakes, there is one somewhat smaller than the thrush, ash-coloured above, and white below, with a very short tail; the legs long and green; the head large and flat, with a narrow white circle around it, which is relieved by another that is wide and black, and a collar of the same colour; the eyelids are rosy, with two ferrels or spears at the joints of the wings, which are white, with the extremities black.

There are a variety of the Wild Duck and Water Fowl.

Marido-he-dia (Husband it is Day) does not differ from the female of the bird called tendilhao (or chaffinch:) its song is its name badly articulated.

Morcegos, or Bats, are numerous everywhere, some being of the size of a pigeon; they are exceedingly prejudicial to cattle, to certain fruits, and to houses and churches, where they frequently discharge a black liquid that cannot be washed away.

Mutun is almost the size of a turkey-cock, of a beautiful jet black, very graceful, with a curled tuft or plume, quick eyes, the bill yellow, the legs green, and the thighs white. Its song is mournful; its flesh delicious. The female has the plume spotted.

There are also different sorts of Night-crows (Noitibos) or Coliangas, as they are commonly called. One kind frequents the margins of lakes during the day, and is of a beautiful and inimitable gray on the upper part, the lower part white, having a white spot in the middle of the wings, the extremities being black. The head is large and flat, with large black eyes. It has scarcely the appearance of a bill, with a crooked, and extremely large mouth; the largest toe, which is not proportioned to the smallness of the others, has a saw or comb towards the inner side. The flesh of this bird, when fat, is considered good.

Paho is the size of a pigeon, black, with the breast of a rosy hue, and the beak proportionate. Its flesh is also good when fat.

Papa-arroz is small and entirely black. It goes in bands.

There are upwards of twenty sorts of Parrots, reckoning from the smallest parroquet to the arara, or macaw. The flesh of the whole is deemed good, especially that of the juru. Those which compose the last class are of three sorts: the Araruna is entirely blue; the Caninde, also blue above, with the belly of a gold colour; and others which have the lower part and the head of a rose colour.

In lakes distant from inhabited places there are large Wild Geese some gray, some white, and others coralline.

The bird called the Pavao, or Peacock, is of the size of a lark when unfeathered; but, while feathered, is larger than a thrush. It is of a beautiful, brilliant, and changeable colour, beginning with green, and finishing with a bluish green upon the back; the belly is of a rose colour; the wings small and round, and of an exquisite gray; the lower parts of the thighs are dressed in dark feathers, covering the legs, which are very delicate and short; the tail is six inches long, the two central feathers are dark and of changeable colour, the four next are of a jet black, and all the six equal,—the other six have the extremities white, and gradually diminishing from the others in length: the head is rather large, covered with curled feathers, which form a little plume of dark blue; the bill is very short and a little curved, extremely wide at the root, and terminating in a point encircled with mustachoes or foretops thick and black; the eyes are large and black, with yellow eyelids.

There are five species of Partridges, all gray, and without tails. The smallest, called nambus, have a rosy beak; those called zabelez are a little larger than the European partridge, and have the legs yellow; the enapupez is still larger, with a long bill; those named macucos are more bulky, and of a dark colour, with two spurs at the joints of the wings, and a species of saw (such at least have the males) upon the hinder part of the legs; the capueiras, which are a little larger than the nambus, go in bands: all the others disperse after the mothers leave them. The whole sit upon the ground, excepting the macuco, which always perches upon a tree at night.

Peru do Mato, (the Wood Turkey,) improperly so called, is the size of a blackbird, of a dark ash colour, well furnished with feathers, which terminate like hair, the tail jet black, the bill red, thick, and pointed; when it sings it elevates the beak perpendicularly.

Queroquero, which is almost the size of a partridge, has a white belly, with the breast and throat white, of a changeable colour above, with a white spot near the wings, which are armed with two spurs, and whose largest feathers are black, much exceeding the length of the tail, which is short, with the extremity white, the eyes are green and handsome, it has the bill similar to a pigeon, green, and the end black; the head is ornamented with a small black crest, and pointed; the legs are long, and the thighs still longer, with the lower portion unfeathered and green. Its flesh is good, and it would appear not to sleep, as its cry is heard at all hours of the night. It feeds upon the margins of lakes.

The Rola, or sort of Turtle-Dove, is of various species: those called juritis are a little less than a similar kind which pass from Africa to Europe in the spring, but are not so handsome; their song, consisting of one long note, is somewhat melancholy; those called turtles de cascavel, in consequence of the rattling of their wings when they rise, are beautified with white spots, and are somewhat larger than a sparrow, they fight with their wings, and commonly procure their sustenance in bands. The third kind, called coboclas, from being the colour of a brick, are the same size as the preceding. The other sorts all pass under the name of pombas (pigeons); the cardigueras are small; those called aza branca (white wing) resemble the troquaze pigeon, or ring dove of Europe. The ring doves of the country are large, and have their beaks green; as have also those called pararis.

Sabia is a kind of thrush, and the greatest singer in the Brazil; its song does not differ from the blackbird; some, but very rarely, have the feathers and the bill yellow.

The Sahys are a species of beautiful little bird, and divided into various sorts. The sahy da secia is the size of a hedge-sparrow, having a similar beak; its sides and belly are purple, with the wings black above, and the under parts yellow, the tail black, the feet of a rose colour, the head silvery, and the eyes blue. The sahy bicudo is the size of a robin, of a green colour, with the tail and wings black, and the bill pointed. The sahy roxo (or purple sahy) is the size of a sparrow, with the tail and wings black, the head and breast purple, and the bill short and pointed. The sahy de colleira, has the form and size of a sparrow, with the head purple, the neck rosy, the belly green, the sides, wings, and tail, of a greenish hue, and the bill short. The sahy-xe, has the head, wings, and tail of a greenish colour, the breast between blue and green, and black near the blade bone or shoulders and the throat, the hinder part of the back yellow, and the beak short. The sahy papagaio is the size of a greenfinch, of a changeable colour, between blue and green, with a black tail and short bill, wide at the root and fine at the extremity.

Sanhaco is a sort of greenfinch.

Seriema is a little larger than the turkey-hen; its song is simple and tender, it goes generally upon the ground, and flies little.

Serrador is a small bird of a blackish colour, with the beak similar to a sparrow, it only perches upon dry and naked branches, is like the ortolan, and is incessantly rising perpendicularly two or three spans, alighting upon the same place, and keeping in its movement the time of a serra, or saw; it has no song, nor is its plumage beautiful.

Soffrer, to which the whites have given the name, pretending that it articulates the word in its inharmonious song, is little less than the blackbird, of a gold colour, with the head, throat, tail, and wings, black, excepting a white spot in the middle of the wings; the tail is long, the bill round, long, and pointed, likewise black, with two white spots on each side of the lower part; the iris yellow.

Soco is a bird comprising various kinds, the white ones are the size of a large capon, without a tail, with the legs a little long, the bill also long and blue, the fore part of the head is black, the hinder part ornamented with a long pointed crest, falling back upon the neck, which is rather long. The ash-coloured ones differ only from the preceding in colour. There is another larger than the blackbird, being two spans and a half when the wings are opened, and three from the extremity of the bill to that of the feet; it is green on the upper part, and ash-coloured below, the bill is long and pointed, the iris yellow, the neck a span in length, slightly covered with feathers, and spotted on the under side; the tail is two inches long, the head is black, with a crest.

Tapera is a little larger than the blackbird, the whole of the body white, with the head, tail, and wings black, the bill stout and pointed.

Tyhe, or Tapiranga, is much larger than the sparrow, the feathers of the wings large, and those of the tail black, the rest entirely crimson; the bill is thick and black, with two white spots upon the lower part. The tyhé negro (black tyhe) is the same size, with a green spot upon the head.

Tingara is the size of a tentilhao, or chaffinch, of a sea green colour, with the head green, the tail short, and the bill fine, short, and pointed.

Tucano is the size of a pullet, black, with the breast between green and yellow; the bill, a little curved, is of a thickness and length disproportionably large for the body. The arassary is another species of tucano, differing in the colour of the feathers; the bill is a little less and straight, its song is the name by which it is designated. The tucano builds its nest in the cavities of old trunks, lays only two eggs, and its first plumage is white, it has on each side of the head a naked portion of a red colour and varnished.

Tuyuyu is much larger than the turkey-cock, white, with the legs black, is very high, with rather a long neck, the bill pointed, without a tail, and is the height of a man; it feeds at the margins of lakes, and its sustenance is fish.

Viuva is the size of a sparrow, black, with the head white, and the tail proportioned. There is another species of viuva the size of a red robin, also black, with the head white, and the body a little large from the feathers curling very much upon the upper part; the bill is short and delicate; it always perches upon dry branches and does not sing.

Urubu is a species of vulture, of the size of a turkey-cock, black, with the head hairy like it, the bill proportioned and curved at the upper part. There are two other sorts of the urubu, both rare, the one differs only in having a portion green, the other, which is called urubu-rey, is of a whitish ash colour, with the tail and wings black, the neck absolutely naked and fleshy, the head imperfectly covered with a soft fur, the crop hairy, the eyelids green, the iris very white, and the bill black. and has on the upper part of the bill a caruncle, composed of various yellow globules of divers sizes, attached to a delicate pedicle.

In the interior lakes there is a species of gull, the size of a swallow, the lower part very white, and the upper of a pearl colour; the tail forked, the wings long and narrow, with the three leading feathers black, as likewise the fore part of the head; the bill is long and yellow.

Patativa of an ash colour, is less than a robin, and sings.

Rendeira is the size of a bullfinch and white, with the head, tail, and wings black, the bill and tail short.

Ticotico is of the size of a hedge-sparrow, having its colour almost upon the sides, with the belly yellow, and a white semicircle above the eyes.

Tacoara is larger than a blackbird, of a greenish colour, with the tail very long, the upper part of the head a gold colour, having a large black spot round the eyes.