flexible hoofs, and by the want of rumi- | nating stomachs. The name under which it is usually described by naturalists is that of the Tapir, but the appellation which we have given is the one used in South America. There are only two species yet known, one of which was lately discovered by M. Roulin. In color it is a very deep brown, and it sometimes has a stripe of black on both sides of the shoulder, like a mule. The mane is about six inches long in the adult, and is stiff like the bristles of the hog. It is covered with hair, but so thin and close that it is hardly distinguishable at a short distance. Its strength exceeds that of any known animal of its size, but it is harmless and inoffensive until attacked. It produces but one young one at a birth.

Mr. Bennet represents the Anta as ranging from the Isthmus of Darien to the Straits of Magellan. In this, however, we think he must be mistaken, for it is not found on the extensive plains or pampas .to the southward of Paraguay and Tucu

man.

The plains of Paraguay, as well as those of Buenos-Aires, contain immense numbers of OXEN, HORSES, and MULES. Even now, after forty years of continual war in the latter province, many persons possess herds containing thousands of them. The oxen are larger than ours, equal in height, but surpassing them in girth. The trade in hides, if ever opened to the world, must prove very profitable. They average now, according to size, from twenty-five to fifty cents apiece. Ox-hides are employed by the Paraguayans in making ropes, building fences and houses, making casks for the tea of Paraguay, (or yerba maté,) tobacco, sugar, flour, and many other things. We can recommend the hide hammock, most curiously made of the thinnest strips of raw-hide, as the most luxurious bed for a hot climate in the known world. HORSES are valued according to their color, but more particularly according to their paces. Though, of course, not equal to our thorough-bred horses, we should say the ses in Paraguay was far suverage of our own. The rian Robertson, that the a have small bodies and hat they are mere dwarfs comparison with those of

bre

Europe, is long since exploded. Horses are deemed fit for labor in Paraguay at thirty-five years of age; for, owing to the great number of them, they are never injured nor their lives shortened by hard work as with us. It is considered a disgrace to use a mare, or to cut your horse's tail. In these respects civilization might learn a little decency and humanity from the South Americans.

The MULES are larger than any that we know of, and of equal endurance. They are at present of more value than horses, and the time has been when Paraguay annually sent eighty thousand of them into Peru, where they were sold for from ten to fourteen dollars apiece.

A sufficient number of the FELINE are found in this region, but happily they are all of such a diminutive size, when compared with their more ferocious brethren of Asia and Africa, as to be little dangerous to man. The PUMA, or SOUTH AMERICAN LION, is found but seldom in Paraguay, though it is known to be an inhabitant of all parts of the continent, south of Canada. It is probably attracted to the pampas of Buenos-Aires by the greater number of cattle there. The BLACK PUMA, (Felis nigra, Griff.) is very ferocious, but scarce in Paraguay. Its skin is very valuable on account of its beautiful black color. It is about two feet ten inches long, excluding the tail, which is about thirteen inches more. The YAQUARUNDI of Azara is a native here also, and is found more frequently than any other of the Felinæ. is an inhabitant of the deep recesses of the forest, and climbs trees to prey upon birds and monkeys, never attacking the larger quadrupeds unless when pressed by hunger. Its color is a deep gray, which is produced by each hair being ringed alternately by black and white. It is seldom seen more than four feet in length, including the tail. The EYRA of Azara is of a reddish brown, the length of the body being about twenty inches, and that of the tail eleven inches. It much resembles a little Puma.

It

The JAGUAR, or AMERICAN Panther, next to the Tiger, is one of the strongest and most powerful of the Felina. In the spotted markings of its skin it rivals in beauty those of the species inhabiting the old world, and apparently fills the same

station in animal life. Two or three speeies of this animal are supposed to exist in Paraguay, the distinction being founded on the different markings of the skin. But if we adopt the classification of Cuvier, we may confidently assert that there are four species there of equal size and strength. These animals have been known to climb the smooth trunk of a tree forty or fifty feet in height, without branches. They are, when full-grown, seven feet long, the height at the shoulders being two feet two inches. The Jaguar commits great havoc among the herds of horses, and the swiftness of the courser is unavailing before one of these relentless foes. Oxen, sheep, mules, and asses, also form their favorite prey, and the depredations committed are sometimes very extensive. Humboldt says that their numbers are so prodigious that four thousand were killed yearly in the Spanish colonies, and two thousand skins exported annually from Buenos-Aires. They are taken by the lasso and the balls, (las bolas.) The latter weapon is one not commonly known. It is composed of three leather thongs, the end of each containing a round stone, bound in leather. One of these stones is smaller than the other two, and is intended to be held in the hand whilst swinging the weapon for its flight. A rotary motion is given to it, until each thong presents an extended appearance like a pole. Then, being thrown with great violence against the object of attack, it entwines itself around the legs of the victim, closing with such force as often to break them, but seldom failing to entangle the animal to such a degree as to preclude all possibility of escape. We have often seen both the lasso and the balls thrown at the distance of forty yards, with unerring accuracy. This animal, like many of his kind in South America, is in no wise particular about the selection of his food. We are informed by Humboldt that monkeys, turtles, fish, and eggs, are included by his omnivorous appetite. The turtles are as expertly taken from out their shell by his claws, as if it had been done by the art of man. He is also a successful fisher, and an excellent swimmer. In this recreation, the animal spouts white froth from its mouth, which, floating on the surface of the stream, is eagerly sought for by the hungry fishes,

and they are as eagerly tossed to the shore by his claws. The exceeding beauty and usefulness of the skin causes these animals to be sought after with great success, and their numbers have decreased greatly in consequence.

The OUZA, the Felis uncia of Linnæus, is a species of the Felinæ but little known, and is a native of Paraguay. In the same category we are compelled to place the CHATE, or Felis mitis of Cuvier. They are both smaller than the Jaguar, but equally graceful and beautiful, possessing all the general characteristics of the diurnal cats.

The OCELOTS, considered as forming a subordinate group in the great family of the Felina, are of the middle size between the larger and smaller cats, and are of more slender and elegant proportions. They all belong to the New World, and number four varieties, all of which are found in Paraguay. They are the OCELOT, or Felis pardulis, LINKED OCELOT, or Felis Catenata, the LONG-TAILED OCELOT, or Felis macrourus, and the MARGAY, or Felis tigrina.

Of animals of the SHEEP and GOAT kind, Paraguay possesses her full variety. We regret, however, that we are unable to classify some of them according to any received system. For oftentimes it is impossible to tell, from our slight knowledge of them, whether they belong to the Sheep, Goat, or Deer kind, since they possess some characteristics nearly resembling all of these, while, in other respects, they are seemingly utterly distinct. Hence it is impossible to determine with precision to which class they belong. The tame sheep and goats differ in no respect from those known so well among ourselves, save that the former produce a much coarser kind of wool, which has become an important article of export from many parts of South America to this country. Of this wool our manufacturers make blankets, carpets, and other articles. We have no data concerning the introduction of the parent stock of these sheep, but must naturally presume that they have descended from the Spanish merino, which is so celebrated for its fine wool. We suppose, therefore, that either from a want of care in the breeding, or the difference of climate, or both, the fleece has thus deteriorated. Great quantities of this

The NANDU, or American Ostrich, is found in great numbers in the pampas of South America. It is the largest bird in the world, with the single exception of its prototype of the African continent. It closely resembles the Ostrich, but its plumage is less exuberant and valuable, and it has one toe less, leaving but two on each foot.

The RAPACIOUS KIND is well represented in this region of country by the CONDOR VULTURE, (rare;) the BEARDEDVELTURE; the BRAZILIAN VULTURE; and the KING VULTURE; the BALD EAGLE; CARACARA EAGLE; VULTURINE CARACARA EAGLE; TURKEY BUZZARD; COMMON Or WANDERING FALCON; KITE, Falco Mississippiensis of Wilson; WHITE-TAILED HAWK, F. dispar. Temm.; SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK, F. farcatus, Audubon; HEN-HARRIER, F. uliginosus, Wilson; and the BURROWING, GREAT-HORNED, LONG-EARED, SHORTEARED, and WHITE or BARN OWLS. These birds, with the exception of the Owls, are of the greatest use in these countries. Otherwise, from the immense number of oxen that are annually killed, the atmosphere would become tainted by the carrion on the earth. From the luxurious repasts ever ready for them, they are found in vast numbers, and are so easily approached, that we have frequently shot specimens of them with our holster pistols. We may add that great quantities of crows and hawks of many varieties are found in Paraguay, which we are unable to name or classify. One variety of the former is apparently in close affinity to the vulture, being quite black and having no feathers un the head or neck. When feeding upon a carcass they seize the intestines and carry them through the air like a long rope, for a considerable distance. Similar to the vature, too, they acknowledge a king, who is clothed with extremely white feathers, and flies accompanied by other rows, as by satellites. He always takes quantum sufficit of food alone, the remainder of the flock standing around with Serbearance, and at a respectful distance. His alar extent concurs with his color to make him quite conspicuous, being of about thirty-five inches.

In our consideration of the PIE KIND, it ant to be expected that the limits of this -tch will permit us to touch upon the

VOL, I, NO I, NEW SERIES.

5

one-twentieth part of its varieties that are to be found in Paraguay. In this class naturalists have placed a much greater variety of birds than any other family contains, and though they have some few qualities in common, in many others they are more or less widely dissimilar. It is a well-established opinion, for instance, that strict connubial fidelity is one of their virtues, and that, though living in harmony with each other, every species is true to its kind, and transmits an unpolluted race to its posterity. to its posterity. To this rule, however, we think there are many exceptions among the extensive tribe of Parrots, and perhaps one or two others. We placed the Crow of Paraguay and its affinities among the rapacious birds, because there it decidedly prefers all kinds of carrion, and is not omnivorous. Having had for so many centuries a sufficiency of that kind of food, its nature has probably undergone a corresponding change. Among those birds most common to our own country, and which are alike found in all parts of South America during our winter, we may mention the ORIOLES, chief singers of the forest; the BLACK-BIRDS, which are polygamous; the KING-BIRDS; the FLYCATCHERS, with all their varieties; together with the INDIGO-BIRD and the MOCKINGBIRD, Surdus Polyglottus of Wilson. This unrivalled singer makes the perennial forests vocal with his strains of powerful melody, learned from other birds in other climes. Nevertheless, the birds of Paraguay are much more musical than is generally allowed to be the case in tropical climes. By far the majority of our birds spend nearly half the year either in Mexico or South America, compelled to this course from the variability of our climate. But then these birds are silent, and seemingly occupied with the duty of supporting life. They resort to North America to breed during our summer. It is then, during the labors and the pleasures connected with their progeny, when singing their songs of love to their mates, or trilling forth some long note of defiance to a rival male, that we hear their delicious strains. But we doubt not that many of these birds range not only from Hudson's Bay to Mexico, but from Hudson's Bay to Cape Horn; and there are numerous tribes of them which seek the high elevation and

temperate climate of the southern part of Paraguay, just without the tropic, and there select their mates, raise their offspring, and delight the inhabitants with their songs. One great cause, perhaps, for their abundance in this region, may be found in the fact that Paraguay affords the first forests which South America contains, north of Cape Horn and east of the Andes, and the pampas cannot serve as a breeding-place for the PIE KIND, who all nestle in trees. The INDICATOR, or HONEYGUIDE, is one of the most useful among them, for these forests contain large quantities of honey, which it would be difficult to find without some conductor to its various receptacles. This is found in the Indicator, which, calling with a shrill note morning and night, furnishes a certain clue to the concealed treasure.

We come now to the PARROT and its VARIETIES. With the exception of the Canary, this bird is probably the best known among us of all foreign birds, and is valued not only for its beauty, but also its power of imitating to a great degree the human voice. Fortunate it is for the ears of our countrymen, that our forests do not abound with them, like those of Paraguay. They would soon find that there is one sort of music which has no charms. We have often thought, when travelling there, that if Milton had ever been surrounded by a chorus of Parrots, alternating with an antiphon of monkeys, he would have been tempted to introduce their horrible noise into the description of his Pandemonium.

Some two hundred varieties have been classified, from the proud and stormy Macaw tribe, down through all gradations of size and color to the smallest Parakeet, scarce larger than a humming-bird. They are all harmoniously beautiful, all discordantly noisy, and more than half the known varieties make the forests of Paraguay resound with a concert which, to our ears, was perfectly abominable. To those, however, who are fonder of regaling their stomach than their cars, these birds offer a most delicate repast, particularly whilst feeding upon the ripe guava. According to father Joseph Labrador, the Brazilians and Guaranis have a method of producing whatever tints in the feathers of these birds they desire. They pull them out by the roots when near the moulting season, and

rub the place from which they have been plucked, until it grows red and blood flows from it; they then press into the sockets of the old feathers, juice of any color they wish, and thus impart the desired hue to the new growth. We consider the Parrot tribe as decidedly polygamous, and consequently believe that their varieties are constantly increasing, and probably at the present time number many hundreds.

Amongst the feathered tribes, however, the most interesting in its form, its color, and its habits, is the DovE or PIGEON. Faithful to its mate, its affectionate cares and devotion share the duties of incubation, and render domestic ties a pleasure. Ten varieties are found in Paraguay, of which we know little more than the plumage. To this class we must add the TouCAN, a bird whose bill is nearly as large as its whole body. The Toucan is one of the most remarkable birds in creation, and very beautiful. It lives upon the same food as the Parrot, and its flesh is very delicate and of superior flavor for the table. It builds its nest like a Woodpecker, within the hollow of a tree, making only a hole large enough for ingress and egress. Here it sits guarding the entrance with its great beak, and it is a defence sufficiently formidable to keep off all the attacks of birds and serpents, and monkeys, more mischievous than all. There are many varieties, appearing at all seasons. The Red-billed and the Ariel are the largest, and are seen in vast numbers throughout the forests.

The beautiful family of CHATTERERS claims a place here, as one of those most sought after by naturalists. For aught we know, all the varieties of the Brazilian forest, and some others besides, are met with in this country. Edwards mentions several species in the region of the Amazon river, the most remarkable of which is the UMBRELLA CHATTERER, Cephalopeterus ornatus. This species is one of the rarest and most curious of South American birds, and derives its name from a tall crest of slender feathers upon the head. Like all Chatterers, they are fruit-eaters, and a delicacy for the table. We must pass over many other remarkable birds which belong to the Pie kind, as much from want of information concerning them, as to allow of a brief consideration of the remaining orders in Ornithology.