[Cyphorhinus Cantans; called also the flute-bird.]
While the strange, harsh voice of the goatsucker is hushed, the mycetes
has ceased to howl, and no roar of jaguar is heard, a few slow, sweet,
and mellow notes reach the ear, following one another like the
commencement of an air. The unimpressible natives stop their paddles as
they are floating up an igarape to listen to the dulcet strains. The
sounds appear to be those of a human voice; some young girl gathering
fruit in the neighbouring thicket, it would seem, warbling a few notes
to cheer herself in her solitude. Now the tones become more flute-like
and plaintive,--now they seem to be those of a flageolet. It is
difficult to imagine that they can be produced by a bird. No bird,
indeed, can be seen, however closely the surrounding trees and bushes
are scanned. Yet that sweet voice seems to come from a thicket close at
hand. The listeners are silent, expecting to hear the strain completed,
but disappointment follows. An abrupt pause occurs, and then the song
breaks down, finishing with a number of clicking, unmusical sounds, like
a piping barrel-organ out of wind and out of tune.
This is the organ-bird--the most remarkable songster by far (says Bates)
of the Amazonian forests. When discovered, he seems habited in sober
colours; but he need not envy his gaily-dressed companions--while, as a
songster, he remains unrivalled in his native woods.