The chief feature of the Lower Amazon is the vast expanse of smooth
water, of a pale yellowish-olive colour, bearing on its bosom detached
masses of aquatic grass floating down like islands, sometimes mixed with
huge trees, their branches and roots interlocked, and often carrying
among them wild animals, which, unconscious of their character, have
there taken refuge from their foes, or have ventured thither in search
of prey. The timid stag and fierce jaguar are sometimes thus entrapped
and carried out to sea. At even and morn flocks of parrots and large
and yellow macaws, fly backwards and forwards, uttering their wild and
hoarse cries; herons and rails frequent the marshes on its banks; while
all night long the cries of gulls and terns are heard over the sandy
banks where they deposit their eggs, while they may be seen during the
day sitting in rows on floating logs gliding down the stream, motionless
and silent, as if contemplating the scenery. There are divers and
darters, too, in abundance. Now and then a huge manatee comes gliding
by, its cow-like head rising to breathe the upper air; while dolphins,
porpoise-like, rear their backs above the surface, or leap half out of
the water as they swim up the stream. On the low banks, huge alligators
with open jaws are basking in the sun, or leisurely swimming across the
river.