Page:The naturalist on the River Amazons 1863 v1.djvu/102

 subsequently explored. Towards the Magoary the banks at the edge of the water are clothed with mangrove bushes, and beneath them the muddy banks into which the long roots that hang down from the fruit before it leaves the branches strike their fibres, swarm with crabs. On the lower branches the beautiful bird, Ardea helias is found. This is a small heron of exquisitely graceful shape and mien; its plumage is minutely variegated with bars and spots of many colours, like the wings of certain kinds of moths. It is difficult to see the bird in the woods, on account of its sombre colours, and the shadiness of its dwelling-places; but its note, a soft long-drawn whistle, often betrays its hiding-place. I was told by the Indians that it builds in trees, and that the nest, which is made of clay, is beautifully constructed. It is a favourite pet-bird of the Brazilians, who call it Pavaõ (pronounced Pavaong), or peacock. I often had opportunities of observing its habits. It soon becomes tame, and walks about the floors of houses picking-up scraps of food, or catching insects, which it secures by walking gently to the place where they settle, and spearing them with its long, slender beak. It allows itself to be handled by children, and will answer to its name "Pavaõ! Pavaõ!" walking up with a dainty, circumspect gait, and taking a fly or beetle from the hand.

We made several shorter excursions in the neighbourhood. There was a favourite young negro slave named Hilario (anglicised to Larry), who took an interest in our pursuit. He paddled me one day over the lake, where we shot a small alligator and several Piosocas