Teiuguacu, or Teju (P. 283, M. 273). A grey lizard, four or five feet long. Léry, who has eaten them, says, that when properly dressed, they are as tender, as white, and have as good a taste as the wing of a capon.
It is necessary to observe that the Brazilians not only eat lizards, and some kind of serpents, but also large toads, broiled in the Buccaneer fashion, with the heads and entrails.
Domestic Fowls used as Food.
Turkeys. The Brazilians bred them formerly more for their feathers, particularly the white ones, than for the purpose of eating them. They reproached the Europeans with gluttony for eating their eggs.
Ducks, of which there are various species; but the Brazilians never eat them, from an idea that the slow manner of walking of these birds, might make those who fed upon them heavy, and unable to run with a proper degree of activity. For the same reason they refrained from eating all animals which moved slowly; and even some sorts of fish, particularly the skate, which does not swim so fast as others.
Nota. European fowls, transported to the Brazils, live very well in that climate, though growing larger than in their own country, their taste gets less delicate; on the contrary, geese and ducks become still finer.
Wild Fowl used as Food.
Jacupema (P. 81, M. 198). A species of pheasant, of which there are three kinds. The plumage of every one of these birds is black and grey; the only difference between them is in the size. The Brazilians declare that it is impossible for any country to produce any thing more delicate than the flesh of these birds.
Mutu-Mitu (P. 80, M. 194) is excellent to eat, but not so common as the Jacupema. M. le comte de Buffon classes it amongst the Hocco.
Jambu, (P. 81. M. 192). A species of partridge as large as our geese.