There are jays and thrushes as in
Espana, and white storks and cranes. [85] They do not rear peacocks,
rabbits, or hares, although they have tried to do so. It is believed
that the wild animals in the forests and fields eat and destroy them,
namely, the cats, foxes, badgers, and large and small rats, which
are very numerous, and other land animals. [86]
Throughout these islands are found a great number of monkeys, of
various sizes, with which at times the trees are covered. There are
green and white parrots, but they are stupid in talking; and very
small parroquets, of beautiful green and red colors, which talk as
little. The forests and settlements have many serpents, of various
colors, which are generally larger than those of Castilla. Some have
been seen in the forests of unusual size, and wonderful to behold. [87]
The most harmful are certain slender snakes, of less than one vara
in length, which dart down upon passersby from the trees (where they
generally hang), and sting them; their venom is so powerful that
within twenty-four hours the person dies raving.
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