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without much vivacity or energy of action. They start from the branches and give chase to the insects, ascending after them for a few yards, or move horizontally toward them, perhaps rather farther than when ascending, and as soon as the prey is secured return to the spot, where they continue watching, with slow motions of the head. Towards evening this amusement is carried on for half an hour or an hour at a time, and is continued longer at the approach of autumn, the berries then becoming scarcer." “Very few of these birds remain the whole winter in the middle states."

The ROCK MANAKIN, (Rupicola crocea,) one of the most elegant birds of the present family, and the type of the genus Rupicola, is a native of South America, inhabiting the rocky and mountain districts along the rivers of Surinam, Cayenne, and Guiana. Most probably it is to be found along the whole range of the river Amazon, and its tributary branches. Latham states, " that it is nowhere so frequent as in the mountain Luca, near the river Oyapoc, and in the mountain Courouaye, near the river Aprouack, where it builds in the cavernous hollows and dark recesses: the nest is composed merely of a few dry sticks, and the eggs are two in number, of the size of those of a pigeon, and equally white." The Rock Manakin is a shy and solitary bird, giving preference to silent and secluded glens and rocky ravines, where it appears to pass an undisturbed existence. Waterton informs us, that it is a native of the woody mountains of Macoushia, a tract on the Apoura-poura, a tributary river falling into the Essequibo from the south, inhabited by the Macoushi Indians, so celebrated for their skill in preparing the deadly vegetable poison wourali, with which they smear the points of their arrows. "In the daytime it retires amongst the darkest rocks, and only comes out to feed a little before sunrise and at sunset: it is of a gloomy disposition, and never associates with the other birds of the forest.'

The Rock Manakin is about the size of a small pigeon; the general colour of the plumage is rich saffron yellow,

The secondaries and tail-coverts are square, as if cut at the ends, and the wing-coverts are elongated into loose flowing plumes. The tail is brown, tipped with yellow. The female is not so fully ornamented with crest and plumes as the male, and her colour is of an uniform brown. We are aware of no instance of a living specimen being brought to Europe.

From the country bordering the River Amazon is brought another bird equally curious and beautiful, but very rare in museums, the UMBRELLA BIRD, (Cephalopterus ornatus, GEOFF.) so called from the full out

spreading plumes which tower above its head, like the horsetail crest of a Grecian helmet. Of its manners and habits nothing is known. In size it is about as large as a jay; from the upper part of the chest depends a sort of apron, or screen, of square-edged feathers, which is very graceful; the tail is graduated. The whole of the plumage is jet black, with rich violet reflexions, especially on the

crest and the chest plumes. The above figure is taken from a superb specimen in the Museum of Paris.

Among the most brilliant in the rich hues of their plumage the present family has none to equal the various species of Cotingas, forming the restricted genus Ampelis. Insects and soft fruits form their diet, and the dense damp woods of South America their abode. The metallic

tints of blue and purple which adorn many of the species are, however, peculiar to the males alone, and are said to disappear after the breeding season; both sexes being then clothed in a quiet sombre livery of gray or brown. A few examples may be described.

The SCARLET COTINGA (Ampelis carnifex, LIN.) "is found in the deepest recesses of the forest: his crown is flaming red; to this abruptly succeeds a dark shining brown, reaching half way down the back; the remainder of the back, the rump, and tail, the extremity of which is edged with black, are of a lively red; the breast reddish black; the wings brown. He has no song; is solitary, and utters a monotonous whistle, which sounds like 'Quet.' He is fond of the seeds of the hitea tree and those of the siloabali, which ripen in December, and continue on the trees for above two months. He is found

throughout the year in Demerara; still nothing is known of his incubation. The Indians all agree in telling you they have never seen his nest.' -WATERTON.

The PURPLE-BREASTED AZURE COTINGA (Ampelis cotinga) has the throat and breast violet or deep purple, the wings and tail black, and all the rest of the body of the loveliest ultra-marine blue which can be imagined.

The POMPADOUR COTINGA (Ampelis pompadora) is of a universal light purple, inclining to red, with the exception of the quill-feathers, which are white. The great coverts of the wings have stiff shafts, and are narrow and pointed, and overlay each other like the pointed tiles of a roof. The voice of this bird is hoarse, and sounds like his Indian name, "Wallababba."

With the exception of the first species mentioned, Mr. Waterton observes that, in December, January, and part of February, they are common in the woods of Demerara, feeding on the seeds of various wild fruit trees; but that the greater part disappear in February, or soon after, "and probably retire far away to breed. Their nests have never been found in Demerara."

Closely allied in form to the genus Ampelis is that of

Procnias, Hoffman. It contains that remarkable bird the CAMPANERO, or Bell-bird of South America, whose voice, tolling through the wilds like a bell, startles the astonished traveller, reminding him of other scenes, and calling forth associations and crowded thoughts of days gone by.

The Campanero, says Waterton, "is about the size of the jay; his plumage is white as snow. On his forehead rises a spiral tube nearly three inches long; it is jet black, dotted all over with white feathers: it has a communication with the palate, and when filled with air looks like a spire; when empty, it becomes pendulous. His note is loud and clear, like the sound of a bell, and may be heard at the distance of three miles. In the midst of these extensive wilds, generally on the dried top of an aged mora, almost out of gun-reach, you will see the