Daylight was tinting the vast canopy of jungle leaves when the safari started back toward the main trail. The setting was somber at this early hour, but the silence was soon broken by some scattered jungle cries. Then, clear and sharp, came the metallic note of the bellbird. Mr. Brewster waved the safari to a stop and said:
“Listen.”
The call was repeated. Mr. Brewster turned to Kamuka and asked:
“What kind of bird is that? Campanero or Urubu?”
Biff smiled at the way his father used the term for “bellbird” along with Urubu’s nickname of “vulture.” But Kamuka kept a very serious face as he replied.
“It is Urubu. Look, Senhor. I show you why.”
He pointed to a white-feathered bird that formed a tiny spot on the high branch of a tree.
“There is real campanero,” declared Kamuka. “He is saying nothing. He would answer if he heard real call.”
Mr. Brewster studied the bellbird through a pair of binoculars and promptly agreed with Kamuka. He handed the glasses to Biff, who noted that the bird, which was something like a waxwing, but larger, had an appendage that extended from its forehead and draped down over its bill. This ornament, jet-black in color, was starred with tiny tufts of feathers. Mr. Brewster called it a caruncle and explained that it was commonly seen on various species of tropical birds noted for their ringing cries.
But this bellbird remained silent, even when the distant anvil sound clanged anew.