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diff --git a/75453-h/75453-h.htm b/75453-h/75453-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15843c4 --- /dev/null +++ b/75453-h/75453-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15697 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Our Search for a Wilderness | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +a { + text-decoration: none; +} + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +h2.nobreak, h3.nobreak { + page-break-before: avoid; +} + +hr.chap { + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + clear: both; + width: 65%; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; +} + +img.w100 { + width: 100%; +} + +div.chapter { + page-break-before: always; +} + +ul { + list-style-type: none; +} + +li, li.indx { + margin-top: .5em; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; +} + +li.ifrst { + margin-top: 2em; + padding-left: 4em; +} + +li.isub1 { + padding-left: 4em; 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WILLIAM BEEBE</p> + +<p class="center">THE BIRD, ITS FORM AND FUNCTION</p> + +<p>With colored Frontispiece and 371 Illustrations, +chiefly photographed from Life by +the Author. <i>American Nature Series.</i> New +York: Henry Holt and Company. 8vo. +$3.50 net.</p> + +<p class="center">THE LOG OF THE SUN</p> + +<p>A Chronicle of Nature’s Year. With fifty-two +full-page illustrations by Walter King +Stone, and numerous Vignettes and photographs +from Life. New York: Henry Holt +and Company. 8vo., full gilt. $6.00 net.</p> + +<p class="center">TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO</p> + +<p>Illustrated with photographs from Life +taken by the Author. Boston: Houghton +Mifflin Company. 8vo. $3.00 net.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ii"></a>[ii]</span></p> + +<h1>OUR SEARCH FOR A WILDERNESS</h1> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iii"></a>[iii]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="frontispiece" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p style="text-align: right; font-size: 80%;">(<i>Frontispiece</i>)</p> + <p><span class="smcap">In the South American Wilderness.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_iv"></a>[iv]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_v"></a>[v]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage larger">OUR SEARCH FOR A<br> +WILDERNESS</p> + +</div> + +<p class="center">AN ACCOUNT OF TWO ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPEDITIONS<br> +TO VENEZUELA AND TO BRITISH GUIANA</p> + +<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">BY</span><br> +MARY BLAIR BEEBE<br> +<span class="smaller">AND</span><br> +C. WILLIAM BEEBE<br> +<span class="smaller"><i>Curator of Ornithology in the New York Zoölogical Park; Fellow of the<br> +New York Academy of Sciences; Member of the American<br> +Ornithologists’ Union and Corresponding<br> +Member of the London<br> +Zoölogical Society</i></span></p> + +<p class="titlepage"><i>ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS FROM LIFE<br> +TAKEN BY THE AUTHORS</i></p> + +<figure class="figcenter titlepage illowp60" id="holt" style="max-width: 10em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/holt.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">NEW YORK</span><br> +HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY<br> +<span class="smaller">1910</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vi"></a>[vi]</span></p> + +<p class="titlepage smaller"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1910,<br> +by<br> +HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY</span></p> + +<p class="center smaller"><i>Published April, 1910</i></p> + +<p class="titlepage smaller"><span class="gothic">Stanhope Press</span><br> +F. H. GILSON COMPANY<br> +BOSTON, U.S.A.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_vii"></a>[vii]</span></p> + +<p class="dedication">To<br> +<span class="smcap">Judge and Mrs. ROGER A. PRYOR</span><br> +With the deepest affection and admiration<br> +of<br> +their Granddaughter<br> +<span class="allsmcap">MARY BLAIR BEEBE</span><br> +and of<br> +<span class="allsmcap">C. WILLIAM BEEBE</span></p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_viii"></a>[viii]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_ix"></a>[ix]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</h2> + +</div> + +<p>In the following pages we have set down the tale of two +searches for a wilderness. These two private expeditions +were undertaken for the purpose of learning something about +the birds and other wild creatures of countries further south +than any we had yet visited. Both trips were successful; +for the regions we explored were wilderness wonderlands,—full +of beauty, abounding in the romance which ever enhances +wild creatures and wild men, and they were part +of the great zoölogical “dark continent” which we hope to +devote our lives to studying.</p> + +<p>On our first search the collecting of live birds was incidental, +although we brought back forty specimens of fourteen +species.</p> + +<p>On the second search, however, we took with us an +assistant, Mr. Lee S. Crandall. By his assiduity in trapping +and in arousing the interest of native coolie and black boys, +he assembled a splendid collection of almost three hundred +living birds of fifty-one species. These we brought to the +New York Zoölogical Park, where no less than thirty-three +species were new to the collection. In addition many small +mammals and reptiles were collected.</p> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Part I.</span></h3> + +<p>We left New York on February 22d, 1908, on the Royal +Mail Steamship “Trent,” and after touching at Jamaica, +Colon, Savanilla and La Guayra, we disembarked at Port +of Spain, Trinidad, on March 9th. Leaving this port in a +Venezuelan sloop we cruised among the caños north of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_x"></a>[x]</span> +Orinoco Delta, and explored the country about the Venezuelan +Pitch Lake—La Brea.</p> + +<p>To Mr. Eugene André of Trinidad, we are deeply indebted +for a hundred kindnesses which did much to make +our trip a success. We wish also to express gratitude to +Mr. Mole, Mr. Anduse and especially to the late Mr. Ellis +Grell.</p> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Part II.</span></h3> + +<p>On the 15th of February, 1909, we sailed from New York +on the Steamship “Coppename” of the Royal Dutch West +Indian Mail, and with only a single stop—Barbadoes—reached +Georgetown, British Guiana, on the 24th of the +same month.</p> + +<p>In British Guiana we made three expeditions; two as +the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Wilshire, having +as our objective points two gold mines in the midst of +the wilderness, the first at Hoorie in the northwest, the +second on the Little Aremu in central Guiana. On these +expeditions we were spared all the usual annoyances of +transportation; food and servants and everything at the +mines were put at our service to facilitate our study of the +nature life of the country. The third trip to the savanna +region further south was made at the invitation of Mr. and +Mrs. Lindley Vinton, two Americans living in Georgetown, +who placed their home at our disposal while we remained +in Georgetown.</p> + +<p>During our entire stay in British Guiana we received +unfailing courtesy and kindness,—from the Governor, +Sir Frederick Hodgson, down to the great black hospitable +wilderness police. Professor J. B. Harrison allowed us to +use the old aviaries at the Botanical Gardens, and with +Mr. James Rodway of the Georgetown Museum and +Mr. B. Howell Jones, extended to us all the courtesies in +his power.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xi"></a>[xi]</span></p> + +<p>For figures 97, 98, 108, 144, and 158 we are indebted to +Dr. Hiram Bingham, and figures 83, 109, 130, and 131 are +from photographs belonging to the New York Zoölogical +Society and were taken by Mr. E. R. Sanborn. All the +others were taken by ourselves with a Graflex Camera and +27-inch Goerz lens, and a pocket Kodak, both 4 by 5 in +size.</p> + +<p>The first two chapters appeared in their original form in +“Harper’s Monthly Magazine,” and the third chapter in +“Recreation.”</p> + +<p>Our thanks are due to Dr. William T. Hornaday, Director +of the New York Zoölogical Park, for the leave of absence +which made possible these expeditions.</p> + +<p class="tb">Three appendices have been added. The first is a +classified list of the birds, with their scientific names, which +are mentioned in the book; by no means a complete list +of those observed. Reference to it is facilitated by the +superior numbers affixed throughout the text to the names +of the birds. The second appendix gives the native Guianan +names of the commoner species of birds. The third is a list +of the insects observed at Hoorie which have been identified +up to the present time.</p> + +<p>Wherever in this volume it has seemed best for any reason +that certain chapters should be written by one of the authors +alone, the writer’s name has been given at the head of the +chapter. In all chapters not thus designated the authors +have collaborated.</p> + +<p class="right">MARY BLAIR BEEBE,<br> +C. WILLIAM BEEBE.</p> + +<p class="smaller"><i>January, 1910.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xii"></a>[xii]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiii"></a>[xiii]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"></td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="3"><a href="#PART_I">PART I. OUR FIRST SEARCH.</a><br> + <span class="smcap">Venezuela.</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">I.</td> + <td>THE LAND OF A SINGLE TREE</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">3</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">II.</td> + <td>THE LAKE OF PITCH</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">32</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">III.</td> + <td>A WOMAN’S EXPERIENCES IN VENEZUELA</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="3"><a href="#PART_II">PART II. OUR SECOND SEARCH.</a><br> + <span class="smcap">British Guiana.</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">IV.</td> + <td>GEORGETOWN</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">111</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">V.</td> + <td>STEAMER AND LAUNCH TO HOORIE CREEK</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">134</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VI.</td> + <td>A GOLD MINE IN THE WILDERNESS</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">165</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VII.</td> + <td>THROUGH THE COASTAL WILDERNESS WITH INDIANS AND CANOE</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">214</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">VIII.</td> + <td>THE WATER TRAIL FROM GEORGETOWN TO AREMU</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">244</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">IX.</td> + <td>JUNGLE LIFE AT AREMU</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">285</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">X.</td> + <td>JUNGLE LIFE AT AREMU (Continued)</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">316</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">XI.</td> + <td>THE LIFE OF THE ABARY SAVANNAS</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">350</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="3">APPENDICES.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">A.</td> + <td>CLASSIFIED LIST OF BIRDS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_A">389</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">B.</td> + <td>NATIVE GUIANAN NAMES OF BIRDS</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_B">395</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">C.</td> + <td>ALPHABETICAL LISTS OF BIRDS</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#APPENDIX_C">397</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"></td> + <td>INDEX</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#INDEX">399</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xiv"></a>[xiv]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xv"></a>[xv]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <td class="tdr smaller">FIG.</td> + <td></td> + <td class="tdpg smaller">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr"></td> + <td>In the South American Wilderness.</td> + <td class="tdpg smaller"><a href="#frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">1.</td> + <td>Map of our Trip through the Mangrove Wilderness</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure001">2</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">2.</td> + <td>Our Sloop entering the Mangroves</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure002">5</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">3.</td> + <td>Scarlet Ibises in Flight</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure003">7</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">4.</td> + <td>Young Mangrove Plants</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure004">11</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">5.</td> + <td>The Crucifix in the Catfish</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure005">13</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">6.</td> + <td>Parrot Puff-fish</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure006">15</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7.</td> + <td>Four-eyed Fish</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure007">16</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">8.</td> + <td>Our Floating Home at La Ceiba</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure008">18</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">9.</td> + <td>Exploring the Caños in a Dug-out</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure009">21</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">10.</td> + <td>White Orchids</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure010">23</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">11.</td> + <td>Sun-bittern</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure011">25</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">12.</td> + <td>Solution of the Mangrove Mystery—an Anaconda</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure012">27</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">13.</td> + <td>Hoatzins in the Bamboos on the Guarapiche</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure013">28</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">14.</td> + <td>First Glimpse of the Venezuela Mountains</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure014">31</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">15.</td> + <td>Colony of 150 Cassiques’ Nests in One Tree</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure015">33</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">16.</td> + <td>Nest and Eggs of Yellow-backed Cassique</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure016">34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">17.</td> + <td>Venezuelan Tree Porcupine</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure017">36</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">18.</td> + <td>Wild Chachalaca near a Guanoco Hut</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure018">38</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">19.</td> + <td>Scorpion and its Young taken from Milady’s Shoe</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure019">39</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">20.</td> + <td>Yellow Woodpecker</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure020">41</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">21.</td> + <td>Owl Butterfly on Cocoa Bark</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure021">42</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">22.</td> + <td>Lizard Alert on Trunk of Tree</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure022">44</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">23.</td> + <td>The Same Lizard a Moment Later, Obliterated by Change of Position</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure023">45</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">24.</td> + <td>Nest and Eggs of Great Blue Tinamou</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure024">47</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">25.</td> + <td>Woodhewer clinging to the Trunk of a Tree</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure025">50</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">26.</td> + <td>Streaked Flycatcher</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure026">51</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">27.</td> + <td>The Jungle Railroad</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure027">56</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">28.</td> + <td>Spider Lilies near Pitch Lake</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure028">57</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">29.</td> + <td>La Brea—The Lake of Pitch</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure029">59</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">30.</td> + <td>The fatal “Mother of the Lake”</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure030">61</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">31.</td> + <td>White-headed Chimachima Hawk and Eta Palm</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure031">62</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xvi"></a>[xvi]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">32.</td> + <td>Amazon Parrot Roost, Pitch Lake</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure032">63</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">33.</td> + <td>The Home of the Amazon Parrot in the Middle of Pitch Lake</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure033">64</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">34.</td> + <td>Amazon Parrot at Entrance of Nest. Fifteen feet away</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure034-035">65</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">35.</td> + <td>Amazon Parrot at Entrance of Nest. Ten feet away</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure034-035">65</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">36.</td> + <td>Amazon Parrot about to take Flight</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure036">66</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">37.</td> + <td>Eggs and Young of Amazon Parrot in the Nest</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure037">67</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">38.</td> + <td>Fish from the Pools in Pitch Lake. <i>Aequidens</i> sp.</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure038-039">69</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">39.</td> + <td>Fish from the Pools in Pitch Lake. <i>Hoplias malabaricus</i></td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure038-039">69</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">40.</td> + <td>Our Sloop at Guanoco</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure040">72</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">41.</td> + <td>Venezuelan Soldiers on the “Pontón” Guard Ship</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure041">76</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">42.</td> + <td>Captain Truxillo paddling us up the Guarapiche past Caño Colorado</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure042">78</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">43.</td> + <td>Sunset in the Mangrove Wilderness</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure043">80</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">44.</td> + <td>The Silent Savages</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure044">81</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">45.</td> + <td>Guarauno Indians coming to trade at Caño Colorado</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure045">83</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">46.</td> + <td>Guarauno Squaws and Child with Monkey</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure046">85</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">47.</td> + <td>Pitch Lake, showing freshly dug pit filled with water; an older + pit filled with soft pitch, both surrounded by the hard surface pitch</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure047">88</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">48.</td> + <td>Digging out the Black, Waxlike Pitch</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure048">90</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">49.</td> + <td>Loading Pitch on the Hand Cars</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure049">93</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">50.</td> + <td>Mangrove Wilderness from the High Land at Guanoco</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure050">95</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">51.</td> + <td>Inhabitants of Guanoco assembled for a Dance</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure051">97</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">52.</td> + <td>A Palm-sheath Rocking Toy</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure052">100</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">53.</td> + <td>Sheath in <a href="#figure052">Fig. 52</a>, covering the Flower of a Palm</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure053">102</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">54.</td> + <td>Priestless Chapel at Guanoco</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure054">105</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">55.</td> + <td>Guarauno Indian Papoose</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure055">107</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">56.</td> + <td>Map of our Three Expeditions into British Guiana</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure056">110</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">57.</td> + <td>Street in Georgetown</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure057">113</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">58.</td> + <td>Kiskadee Tyrant Flycatcher</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure058">114</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">59.</td> + <td>Coolie Woman and Negress</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure059">117</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">60.</td> + <td>The Georgetown Sea-wall</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure060">119</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">61.</td> + <td>Toad</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure061">123</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">62.</td> + <td>Arc-light</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure062">123</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">63.</td> + <td>Victoria Regia in the Botanical Gardens</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure063">124</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">64.</td> + <td>Lotus in Blossom</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure064">126</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">65.</td> + <td>Taliput Palm in Blossom</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure065">128</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">66.</td> + <td>Canal of the Crocodiles</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure066">130</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">67.</td> + <td>Young Elania Flycatchers</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure067">132</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">68.</td> + <td>Typical Indian House at Morawhanna</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure068">136</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">69.</td> + <td>Three-year Olds at Home in their Wood-skin</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure069">138</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">70.</td> + <td>Mount Everard</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure070">140</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">71.</td> + <td>Sir Everard im Thurn’s House at Morawhanna</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure071">143</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">72.</td> + <td>Palm Tanager</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure072">147</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xvii"></a>[xvii]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">73.</td> + <td>Frederick, the Carib Indian Boy</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure073">152</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">74.</td> + <td>Our Tent-boat on the Barama River</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure074">159</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">75.</td> + <td>Indian Boys in Dug-out</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure075">162</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">76.</td> + <td>Crossing a Stream on the Hoorie Jungle Road</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure076">166</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">77.</td> + <td>The Wilderness Trail</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure077">168</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">78.</td> + <td>Engine House and Flume of Hoorie Gold Mine</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure078">172</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">79.</td> + <td>The “Little Giant” at Work</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure079">175</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">80.</td> + <td>Carib Hunter and His Children at Hoorie</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure080">178</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">81.</td> + <td>Three Generations of Carib Indians</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure081">180</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">82.</td> + <td>Mr. Wilshire and Crandall with Bushmaster</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure082">182</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">83.</td> + <td>The Terrible Bushmaster</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure083">183</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">84.</td> + <td>Panning Gold</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure084">186</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">85.</td> + <td>Whip Scorpion or Pedipalp Spider</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure085">190</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">86.</td> + <td>A Jungle Blossom</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure086">193</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">87.</td> + <td>The Drowned Forest</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure087">199</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">88.</td> + <td>Nests of Red-backed Cassiques</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure088">204</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">89.</td> + <td>Barama River from Farnum’s House</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure089">216</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">90.</td> + <td>Scene on the Barrabarra</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure090">219</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">91.</td> + <td>Wake of a Manatee swimming up River</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure091">221</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">92.</td> + <td>Manatee browsing close to the Bank</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure092">222</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">93.</td> + <td>Manatee taking in Air and about to dive</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure093">224</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">94.</td> + <td>A Vista of the Biara</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure094">226</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">95.</td> + <td>Father Gillett and his Indian Boys</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure095">228</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">96.</td> + <td>Tropical Luxuriance</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure096">230</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">97.</td> + <td>Capybara on the Bank of a Stream</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure097">232</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">98.</td> + <td>South American Thatched House and Nests of Green Cassiques</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure098"> 236</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">99.</td> + <td>Miles of Lilies</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure099">239</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">100.</td> + <td>The Road to Suddie</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure100">243</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">101.</td> + <td>Gray-breasted Martins nesting on the Steamer</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure101">245</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">102.</td> + <td>Coolies and their Wives fishing on the Essequibo</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure102">247</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">103.</td> + <td>Falls at Lower Camaria</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure103">249</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">104.</td> + <td>A Butterfly Mimicking an Orchid</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure104">251</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">105.</td> + <td>Fresh-water Flying Fish</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure105">252</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">106.</td> + <td>Salt-water Flying Fish</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure106">253</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">107.</td> + <td>Cuyuni River</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure107">254</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">108.</td> + <td>A Herd of Eight Capybaras, Six Adult and Two Young</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure108">255</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">109.</td> + <td>Great Anteater</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure109">257</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">110.</td> + <td>A Tacuba on the Cuyuni</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure110">259</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">111.</td> + <td>Rapids on the Cuyuni</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure111">260</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">112.</td> + <td>Rushing the Boat into the Rapids</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure112">261</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">113.</td> + <td>Warping the Boat Through the Lower Whirlpools</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure113">262</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">114.</td> + <td>A Rest midway up the Rapids</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure114">264</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">115.</td> + <td>The Final Struggle up to Smooth Water</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure115">266</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xviii"></a>[xviii]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">116.</td> + <td>Shooting the Rapids at Full Speed</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure116">270</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">117.</td> + <td>A Wilderness Passion Flower—Simitú</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure117">272</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">118.</td> + <td>Our Camp on the Aremu River</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure118">274</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">119.</td> + <td>Poling under Tacubas on the Little Aremu</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure119">276</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">120.</td> + <td>Tree-ferns on the Little Aremu</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure120">278</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">121.</td> + <td>A Sloth in Action</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure121">280</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">122.</td> + <td>A Sloth Asleep</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure122">281</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">123.</td> + <td>Where only Otters and Fish can pass</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure123">283</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">124.</td> + <td>Aremu Gold Mine, showing Bungalow and Mine Shaft</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure124">286</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">125.</td> + <td>Descending the Shaft</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure125">289</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">126.</td> + <td>Walking Stick Insect</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure126">290</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">127.</td> + <td>Scorpion and Caterpillar after their Battle</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure127">292</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">128.</td> + <td>Milady and the Giant Mora Tree</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure128">296</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">129.</td> + <td>Aërial Roots of Bush-rope</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure129">299</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">130.</td> + <td>Tamandua</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure130">306</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">131.</td> + <td>Agouti</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure131">312</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">132.</td> + <td>Nest and Eggs of White-throated Robin</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure132">323</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">133.</td> + <td>Section of Paddle-wood Tree</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure133">325</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">134.</td> + <td>Phonetic Caterpillars</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure134">329</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">135.</td> + <td>First Phase of Curassow Strutting, a Slow Walk with Raised Tail. Rear View.</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure135-136">333</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">136.</td> + <td>The Same. Side View.</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure135-136">333</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">137.</td> + <td>Second Phase of Curassow Strutting</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure137">335</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">138.</td> + <td>Third Phase of Curassow Strutting</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure138">337</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">139.</td> + <td>Golden-crowned Manakin lifted from Nest</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure139">343</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">140.</td> + <td>Young Dusky Parrots</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure140">344</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">141.</td> + <td>Early Morning in the Wilderness</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure141">346</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">142.</td> + <td>Indian Hunter bringing in a Peccary</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure142">347</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">143.</td> + <td>American Egret on the Abary River Savanna</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure143">352</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">144.</td> + <td>Nest and Young of Jabiru</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure144">354</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">145.</td> + <td>Gray-necked Tree-ducks rising from the Savanna</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure145">356</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">146.</td> + <td>Our Bungalow on Abary Island</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure146">358</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">147.</td> + <td>Map of Abary Island</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure147">361</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">148.</td> + <td>Abary River, showing High Growth on West Bank</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure148">362</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">149.</td> + <td>Spider Lily near Abary Island</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure149">363</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">150.</td> + <td>Nest of a Hoatzin in the Mucka-mucka on which these Birds feed</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure150">366</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">151.</td> + <td>The Author Photographing Hoatzins</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure151">367</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">152.</td> + <td>(A) Female Hoatzin flushed from her nest; the Male Bird approaching</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure152">369</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">153.</td> + <td>(B) Female Hoatzin in the same Position, the Male having flown nearer</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure153">370</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">154.</td> + <td>(C) Male Hoatzin alarmed and about to take Flight</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure154">372</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">155.</td> + <td>(D) Female Hoatzin crouching to avoid Observation</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure155">373</a><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_xix"></a>[xix]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">156.</td> + <td>(E) Female Hoatzin taking flight, with wings fully spread; a second pair of birds leaving their nest in the background</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure156">375</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">157.</td> + <td>Flock of Eleven Hoatzins</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure157">377</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">158.</td> + <td>Crocodiles on a South American River Bank</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure158">380</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">159.</td> + <td>Lagoon between Abary Island and River</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure159">382</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">160.</td> + <td>Young Spur-winged Jacana</td> + <td class="tdpg"><a href="#figure160">384</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PART_I"><span class="smaller">PART I</span><br> +OUR FIRST SEARCH<br> +VENEZUELA</h2> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure001" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure001.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 1.</span></p> + <p>MAP OF NORTHEASTERN VENEZUELA</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.<br> +<span class="smaller">THE LAND OF A SINGLE TREE.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>One day late in March, just as the tropical sun was +sinking from view, our barefooted Spanish crew pulled +up anchor from the muddy bottom of Port of Spain’s harbor. +Slowly the sails filled, and the spray began to fly from +the bow as we steered straight into the crimson path of the +sunset. Behind us the lofty Trinidad ranges glowed softly; +great velvety peaks and ridges, purpled by distance, gilded +by the last rays of day. Then the twilight passed swiftly +as if the sun had been quenched by the waters which covered +its face; the mountains became merged into the darkness +of the sky, and the city of busy life behind us melted +into a linear constellation of twinkling lights.</p> + +<p>We had chartered a little sloop of twenty-one tons, the +“Josefa Jacinta” (<i>Ho-say’fah Hah-seen’tah</i>) manned by a +captain, a cook and a crew of three. At her masthead +flew the flag of Venezuela. With a month’s provisions in +the hold and all the varied paraphernalia of a naturalist, +we were headed for the northern part of the Orinoco delta +in search of the primitive wilderness of which we had +dreamed.</p> + +<p>Jamaica, Colon, Savanilla, La Guayra had passed in quick +succession, and we were surprised to find Trinidad the most +modern and wide-awake of all. The well-appointed hotels,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> +the trolleys, electric lights, museums, and newspapers of +Port of Spain, the wireless station even now flashing its +aërial messages from yonder peak,—all boded ill for our +search for primeval conditions. Was there no spot left on +earth, we wondered, which could truthfully be called an +untrodden wilderness!—jungles untouched by axe or fire, +where guns had not replaced bows and arrows; where the +creatures of the wilderness were tame through unfamiliarity +with human beings!</p> + +<p class="tb">The Southern Cross rose and straightened its arms; the +Pole Star hung low in the north. As the night wore on, an +ugly sea arose and half buried our little craft in foam and +spray. A cross-wind disputed our advance and the strong +tide drove us out of our course. But our captain had navigated +these waters for more than half a century, and we had +no fears.</p> + +<p>The following day was as wild as the night, and no living +thing appeared in sky or sea, save a host of milky jelly-fish +(<i>Stomolophus meleagris</i>). They kept below the surface, and +seemed to suffer no damage from the roughness of the water. +In an area of a square yard we counted twenty, and for hour +after hour we passed through vast masses of them, extending +to the farthest waves visible on either hand and as deep +down as our eyes could penetrate—myriads upon myriads +of these lowly beings, each vibrating with life, and yet unable +to guide its course against the tide, or to do aught but +pulsate slowly along.</p> + +<p>Later in the day, although the water grew less rough, the +whole company sank lower in the muddy depths—muddy, +because the brown waters of the great Orinoco hold sway +over all this gulf and scatter out at sea the sediment washed +from the banks far inland.</p> + +<p>Finally the storm passed and we saw a blue cloud to the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> +north, hinting of the great mountain ranges of the Spanish +Main. Ahead, a low green mist along the horizon told us +we were nearing shore. This became more and more distinct +until we could make out individual trees. By noon we +had left the tumultuous waters of the Gulf of Paria, and were +floating quietly on a broad stream between two majestic +walls of green; we had entered our wilderness, and the silence +and beauty of our reception seemed all the more vivid after +the noise and turbulence of the wind and water behind us.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure002" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure002.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 2. Our Sloop entering the Mangroves.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Our first impression was of a vast solitude. It was midday, +and the tide was almost at its height. With limp sails +we drifted silently onward, not a sound of life coming from +the green depths about us. We skirted the mangroves +along the south bank, moving more and more slowly, until +at last we rested motionless on the water, between the blazing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> +sky overhead and the muddy depths beneath. The tide had +reached its highest, and, like the living creatures of the +jungle, rested in the midday heat. The captain gave a gruff +order in Spanish, and the anchor splashed into the water, +dragging the chain after with a sudden roar and jangle which +echoed from shore to shore—jarring the silence as would a +shriek of pain in a cathedral.</p> + +<p>A chatter came from the mangroves near at hand, and +high up among the dense foliage we saw the first life of the +continent—a wistful little human face gazing out at us, +a capuchin monkey striving with wrinkled brows to make +out what we were. At his call two others came and looked; +then, as our sail came down with a rattle of halyards, the +trio fled through the branches with all the speed which four +hands and a tail could lend.</p> + +<p>We spent the afternoon in getting our floating home ready +for use. No more waves would be encountered, so everything +was unlashed. Stereo-glasses, camera-plates, and ammunition +were placed ready to hand; the galley stove was +moved far forward, and a mosquito-proof tent of netting was +erected under the tarpaulin in the stern.</p> + +<p>The sun had sunk low in the west when we saw a long, +narrow dug-out canoe coming downstream. An Indian +woman and her baby were crouched in the bow, while in the +stern a naked Indian paddled swiftly and silently. His skin +shone like coppery bronze in the sunlight, his long black hair +was bound back from his face by a thong of hide. In front +of him rested a bow and arrows and a long fish-spear. Silently +he approached and in silence he passed—unheeding our +salutations.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="figure003" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure003.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 3. Scarlet Ibises in Flight.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span></p> + +<p>One more beauty of this wild wonderland was vouchsafed +us before night fell. We had been disappointed in the birds. +Where were the myriads of water-fowl of which we had +heard? We had seen nothing—not a single feather. But +now the scene slowly changed. The tide was falling +rapidly, swirling and eddying past the boat, and the roots +of the mangroves began to protrude, their long stems shining +black until the water dried from them. Mud-flats appeared, +and suddenly, without warning, a living flame passed us—and +we had seen our first Scarlet Ibis<span class="bird"><a href="#bird27">27</a></span>.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> + +<p>Past the dark green background of mangrove foliage the +magnificent bird flew swiftly—flaming with a brilliance +which shamed any pigment of human art. Blood red, +intensest vermilion, deepest scarlet—all fail to hint of the +living color of the bird. Before we could recover from our +delight a flock of twenty followed, flying close together, with +bills and feet scarlet like the plumage. They swerved from +their path and alighted on the mud close to the mangroves, +and began feeding at once. Then a trio of snowy-white +Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird32">32</a></span> with trailing plumes floated overhead; others appeared +above the tops of the trees; a host of tiny Sandpipers skimmed +the surface of the water and scurried over the flats. Great +Cocoi Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird31">31</a></span> swept majestically into view; Curlews and +Plover<span class="bird"><a href="#bird18">18</a></span> assembled in myriads, lining the mud-flats at the +water’s edge, while here and there, like jets of flame against +the mud, walked the vermilion Ibises. Terns<span class="bird"><a href="#bird14">14</a></span> with great +yellow bills flew about the sloop, and Skimmers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird17">17</a></span> ploughed +the surface of the tide in endless furrows. Macaws<span class="bird"><a href="#bird61">61</a></span> began +to pass, shrieking as they flew, two and two together—and +then night closed quickly over all. From the zenith the sun +had looked down upon a stream as quiet as death; it sank +upon a scene full of the animation of a myriad forms of life.</p> + +<p>As dusk settled down and hid the shore from our eyes, +another sense was aroused, and to our ears came the sounds +of night in these tropical jungles—a thousand cries, moans,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> +crashes; all mysterious—unexplainable. In time we became +so accustomed to them that we could distinguish repetitions +and details, but this first night brought only a confused +chorus of delightful mystery, now broken by a moment of +silence, now rising to an awe-inspiring climax. One sound +only remained clear in our memory, often repeated, now +uttered in lower, now in higher tones—a terrible choking +sigh. It might have been the last death gasp of some +great monkey, or the pitiful utterance of hopelessness of a +madman.</p> + +<p>With the turn of the tide we raised anchor and drifted +through the night—mile after mile for six hours, and then +anchored again. And thus it was that we came to our +wilderness.</p> + +<p class="tb">Not until we had been in the mangrove jungle for many +days did we begin to realize its vastness, its mystery, its +primeval character. Just four hundred and ten years ago +Christopher Columbus sailed through the gulf we had left +and gazed on the dark forest in the heart of which we +now were. Throughout the whole extent of the mangrove +wilderness we found no hint that conditions were not as +they were in 1498.</p> + +<p>One of the most astonishing things about the mangrove +forest is the apparent diversity of its plant life. Until one +actually comes within reach of trunk and leaves it is impossible +to believe that all this forest is composed of a single +species of plant. The foliage of some of the trees is light, of +others dark; here stands a clump of pale beechlike trunks, +there a dark, rough-barked individual is seen. The manner +of growth of the young and old trees is so different that a +confusion of mingled trees, shrubs, and vines seems to confront +one. But everywhere the mangrove reigns supreme. +It is the only vegetable growth which can gain a footing in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span> +this world of salt water. In fact, it makes its own footing, +entangling and holding mud and débris about its stems, and +ever blindly reaching out dangling roots, like the legs of +gigantic spiders.</p> + +<p>Far out on the tip of a lofty branch a mangrove seed will +germinate, before it falls assuming the appearance of a +loaded club from eight to fifteen inches in length. One day +it lets go and drops like a plummet into the soft mud, where +it sticks upright. Soon the tide rises, and if there is too +strong a current the young plant is swept away, to perish +far out at sea; but if it can maintain its hold, roots soon +spring out, and the ideal of the mangrove is realized, the +purpose for which all this interesting phenomena is intended: +the forest has gained a few yards, and mud and leaves will +soon choke out the intervening water.</p> + +<p>The mangroves have still another method of gaining new +territory. Aërial roots are thrown out from branches high +in air, swinging downward and outward with a curve which +sometimes wins three or four yards ahead. Like hawsers +thrown from a vessel to a wharf these roots clutch at the mud +beneath, but where the current runs swiftly they swing and +dangle in vain, until they have grown so heavy that they +touch bottom some distance downstream. We made use of +these dangling roots as anchors for our canoe, bending the +elastic unattached end upward and springing it over the +gunwale.</p> + +<p>Throughout all this great region there is not a foot of solid +ground. In one place we pushed a tall shoot some eight feet +in height straight down through the mud, and it went out of +sight. A man falling on this mud, out of reach of aid, would +vanish as in a quick-sand. So the wild creatures of the +mangroves must either swim, fly, or climb. No terrestrial +beings can exist there. We once selected a favorable place, +and for fifty yards made our way over the roots and branches +before exhaustion and an impassable gap of mud and water +stopped all progress. As never before we realized how safe +from man are the denizens of these strange swamps. Monkeys +fled swiftly before us, birds rose and flew overhead, +while we painfully crept and pulled ourselves along over the +slippery stems.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure004" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure004.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 4. Young Mangrove Plants.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span></p> + +<p>More wonderful even than the coral polyps are these mangroves, +for by this plant alone all this region has been rescued +from the sea and built up into land. In future years, as the +mud banks become higher and are fertilized by the ever-falling +leaves, other growths will appear, and finally the coast +of the continent will be thus extended by many scores of +miles of fertile soil.</p> + +<p>A network of narrow channels stretches through this +wilderness and allowed us to explore the far interior in our +shallow curiara or dug-out. Thus we spent days and weeks +in search of the creatures which lived in this land of a single +tree, and here we learned how delightful the climate of such +a region can be. Every night we slept under blankets, and +during the day the temperature ranged from 66° at five and +six o’clock in the morning to about 86° at noon, although we +were within nine degrees of the equator.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> One could paddle +all day with more comfort than on a hot summer day in the +north. By day mosquitoes were generally absent, and only a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span> +few biting flies reminded us of the “terrible insect scourges” +of the tropics. Life was delightfully new and strange, with +the spice of danger ever attendant upon the exploration of +unknown lands.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp45" id="figure005" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure005.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 5. The Crucifix in the Catfish.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The fishes attracted our attention from the first. When +we came on deck before sunrise for a plunge, our little vessel +would be surrounded by hosts of catfish (<i>Pseudaucheniplerus +nodosus</i>) all, like our sloop, headed upstream against the tide. +They would bite indifferently at bait, a bit of cloth, or a bare +hook, and were delicious eating. On the bottom our hooks +would sometimes be taken by great fierce-whiskered cats,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> +bedecked with long streamers, which gave no end of trouble +before they were quieted. They were pale yellow, and the +head and back were encased in bone; Maestro—the cook—called +them the crucifix fish, and later showed us why. On +the under surface of the bony armor is a large cross with a +halo about it just above the arms. The crew never caught +one of these fish without making the sign of the cross in their +right palm.</p> + +<p>When the tide was half down the funniest of puff-fishes +(<i>Calomesus psittacus</i>), or tambourines as the Captain called +them, would take our bait. They were from three to five +inches long, white below, and pale greenish above crossed +by seven black bands, the first across the mouth and the +seventh at the tip of the caudal fin. There was also a black +patch at the base of the pectoral fins. The iris was bright +lemon yellow. When gently scratched on the lower parts, +or sometimes even when just lifted from the water they +would swell up into a round ball. They were covered with +short, stiff bristles which stood on end when the fish was inflated, +and their comical appearance was increased by the four +rodent-like incisor teeth in the front of the mouth. When +thus inflated with air they were helpless for a time, and if +thrown back, floated belly upward at the mercy of the wind +and current, until they were able to collapse to normal size.</p> + +<p>On one of our first excursions among the mangroves in our +small canoe we made a most interesting discovery. Here +and there, sprawled out on the mud-flats, were small crocodiles, +and occasionally a large one would rush off into the +water at our approach. Hugging the edge of the tide where +the ripples lapped back and forth on the black ooze were many +other living creatures. For a long time we could not make +them out, but finally, drifting silently upon a whole school, +we knew them for four-eyed fish (<i>Anableps anableps</i>)—strange +creatures which we had hoped to see.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure006" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure006.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 6. Parrot Puff-fish.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We came to a tiny bayou, shaped like a bottle, from which +four Little Blue Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird34">34</a></span> flew as we approached. We placed +our dug-out corklike athwart the mouth and anchored with +our crossed paddles. The air was warm, bees hummed +about the tiny four-parted flowers of the mangroves, and a +great blue morpho butterfly flapped past, mirrored in the +water beneath. Then came tragedy—never far off in this +land of superabundant life. A small clay-colored crocodile +made a sudden rush at a ripple, and a quartet of four-eyes +shot from the water in frantic fear. One was slower than the +rest, and the fierce jaws of the diminutive reptile just grazed +him. Another fell back downward in the ooze, and in a +twinkling was caught and dragged into the depths. No +wonder the poor little four-eyes are ever on the lookout for +danger and spend most of their time where they merge with +the ripples along the shore, when such enemies are on the +watch for them!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span></p> + +<p>A whir of wings sounded, and a Kingfisher<span class="bird"><a href="#bird69">69</a></span> alighted within +arm’s reach. But such a Kingfisher!—the veriest mite, clad +in a robe of brilliant emerald and orange. So small was he +that it seemed as if the tiniest of minnows must choke him. +He seemed to be of the same opinion, for while we watched +him he caught only the insects which passed him in mid-air +or which were floating on the water.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure007" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure007.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 7. Four-eyed Fish.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>By far the most numerous, and in their way the most +interesting of the mangroves’ inhabitants, were the crabs. +There were untold millions of them, all small, all active and +keen of vision. If we sat quietly, they would appear from +everywhere, peeping out like little gnomes from their perches +on the mangroves, forever playing their noiseless little fiddles. +These tiny tree-folk not only played, but danced. Let us +picture a scene constantly enacted, so close to us that we +could all but touch the performers. Two crabs approach +each other, now fiddling vigorously, now waving their diminutive +pincers back and forth over their heads as a ballet-dancer +waves her arms. They move never in straight lines, +but sideways, now running back a few steps, now forward,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> +until at last they meet, and each grasping the other’s claws, +raises them aloft, and then for five minutes they circle about +in most ludicrous imitation of a waltz. All this usually takes +place on the <i>lower</i> surface of a mangrove trunk, the inverted +position apparently making no less secure the footing of the +little dancers. We could not decide whether this performance +was in the nature of courtship or just pure play.</p> + +<p>What we did discover concerning the lives of these crabs +was full of interest. Hundreds of the smallest-sized ones +lived in holes in the mud, and when the tide went down they +came out and ran about—intent on some all-important business +of their little existence. Another class of larger individuals +had their holes near the roots of the mangroves, one +(rarely two) good-sized crab apparently taking possession of +each root. Here he disported himself, running up and down, +from the water into the air with no change in speed, and here, +strangest of all, he grew to resemble his home root. There +was as great diversity among the roots as among the larger +trunks—whitish, black, mottled, and all intervening shades. +It was a fact, of which we had hundreds of daily proofs, that +the crabs were so like their particular root that often we could +not detect the quiescent crustacean when within a foot of our +faces.</p> + +<p>There was one group of five black roots forming a rough +circle about a single mottled root. As we approached, a +crab ran down each stalk into the water, and as we peered +down and saw them go into their holes, we could at a glance +tell the mottled crab from the five black ones. Even the roots +which were as yet a foot or more above the bottom mud +each had their occupant, which thus had to swim upward +from his hole before he could grasp his swaying perch.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure008" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure008.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 8. Our Floating Home at La Ceiba.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>A third class of crabs lived among the higher trunks and +branches of the mangroves, and, except where there was +a highroad of some large trunk dipping into the water, these<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> +less fortunate fellows had to scamper in frantic haste up the +roots of their larger brethren. The indignant owner would +rush at the trespasser with uplifted pincers, sometimes forcing +him to leap for his life. Where an unusually large tree +was frequented by many crabs, their carapaces bore a close +resemblance to its pattern and hue, but among these more +aërial and roving crabs the mimicry was, on the whole, less +striking than among the sedentary class. In the latter, protective +coloration was carried to a greater degree of perfection +than I have ever seen it elsewhere. These were loath to +leave their roots and swim, preferring to run swiftly down until +they reached the mud. This habit made it easy to catch them,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> +merely by taking the end of the root aboard and shaking it, +when the unsuspecting crab would rush down in all haste into +a pail or jar held at the bottom.</p> + +<p>They have many enemies, not only among fish, reptiles, and +birds, but even some of the mammals, such as opossums and +monkeys, catch and devour them in large numbers. We +saw a beautiful Hawk,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird54">54</a></span> bright chestnut in color, with a pale +creamy head and black throat, dashing at them and skilfully +catching the unfortunate crabs in one outstretched +foot.</p> + +<p>Scores of other beings of still more lowly degree swarmed +about us, but as the tide lapped out of our little bayou, the +four-eyes again attracted our attention. They began to get +restless, swimming back and forth and shuffling over the mud, +until at last in desperation at the ebbing of their element, they +made a dash to get past us into the open water of the caño. +Some dived, but so buoyant are they that they can scarcely +stay below a second, and soon popped up on the surface again. +Others scrambled, rolled, and squirmed along over the ooze on +each side of us, many making good progress and escaping. +We caught several and placed them in an aquarium for study. +When hard pressed in deep water these curious fish progress +by a series of leaps—up on their tail end and down again, +up and down again, describing a series of curves and making +very fast time.</p> + +<p>When examined closely we see that these fish have only two +eyes, but these are divided in such a way that there appear +to be double that number. There are two distinct pupils, one +elevated above the head like the eyes of a frog, the other +separated by a band of tissue and below the water-line. So +when the fish floats in its normal position at the surface the +upper pupils, fitted for vision in the air, watch for danger +above, while the lower pair keeps a submarine lookout for +insect food and aquatic enemies.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span></p> + +<p>Monkeys are perfectly at home in this land of branches, +the ever-cautious capuchins and now and then a long-limbed +spider monkey swinging through the trees with as easy a +motion as the flight of a bird. Biggest of all are the great +red howlers, who keep to the deeper, more narrow channels, +and in the evening and again at dawn send their voices to the +farthest limits of the mangroves. They do not howl, they +roar, and the sound is perfectly suited to such a wilderness +as this. Before the first signs of day light up the east, a low, +soft moaning comes through the forest, like the forewarning +of a storm through pine trees. This gains in volume and +depth until it becomes a roar. It is no wind now, nor like +anything one ever hears in the north; it is a deep, grating, +rumbling roar—a voice of the tropics; a hint of the long-past +ages when speech was yet unformed. We grew to love the +rhythm of this wild music, and it will always be for us the +memory-awakening sound of the tropical wilderness.</p> + +<p>The wealth of life in this region was evident when we +began to explore a river flowing down from the highlands +in the far-distant interior of Venezuela. One could spend +a year here and not begin to exhaust the wonders on every +hand.</p> + +<p>With every high tide the Captain would pull up anchor and +shift our craft a little upstream, until at last our keel touched +bottom and we could go no farther. We anchored firmly +and buoyed ourselves by ropes to the nearest trees so as to +keep on an even keel. This, our home for a time, was in a +little bight of the Guarapiche (<i>War-ah-pee’chy</i>) River, where +two tumbled-down, long deserted Indian huts still retained +the name of La Ceiba. We were so close to the left bank +that at low tide we could walk ashore on oars laid down +over the mud. Here the birds came and fed and bathed, +here the howling monkeys roared over our very heads and +Macaws swung and shrieked at us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp50" id="figure009" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure009.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 9. Exploring the Caños in a Dug-out.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span></p> + +<p>One night, during a heavy downpour of rain, we were suddenly +awakened by a medley of cries, imprecations, shrieks and +yells. Flashing the strong electric bulb we saw through the +sheets of rain a very large curiara run afoul of our shore line; +piled high with luggage, with several screaming women +perched high on the bundles and boxes. Four pigs, tied feet +upward, swelled the chorus in their fear of a watery grave and +four men told us what they thought of us in the present and +where they hoped we would spend the future centuries until +the world’s end. Our Captain was out of his hammock in a +moment and in tremendous basso profundo he silenced all, +save the pigs, and rapidly gave directions to our crew to row +upstream against the swirling current, clear the curiara and +shift it outside the danger zone. Between breaths, he incidentally +described minutely to the terrified natives what he +knew would be the ultimate fate of such fools as tried to +descend a river on the wrong side. It was a miracle that the +whole outfit did not overturn—a narrow dug-out, measuring +about twenty feet in length by two in width, striking full +force against a rope in the blackness of the storm.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning the roaring of the monkeys would +awaken us, and after a hasty breakfast we would start out in +our little boat. At this time everything is dripping and +fresh with dew, and there is a bite and tang in the air which +reminds us of Canadian dawns. It is still dusk, and the +lines of mangroves on either side show only as black walls. +For some minutes hardly a sound breaks the stillness except +the distant roars and the drip, drip of our paddles. Then a +sudden splashing and breaking of branches shows that we +are discovered by a pair or more of capybaras (<i>Hydrochoerus +capybara</i>), those enormous rodents which would pass as +guinea pigs in Gulliver’s land of giants. Now an overhanging +branch drenches us as we brush against it, and as it is +pushed aside a whole armful of orchids comes away, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> +pure white blossoms (<i>Epidendrum fragrans</i>) filling the caño +with their sweetness. Now the delicate foliage of a palm is +silhouetted for a moment against the brightening eastern sky, +and a mass of great convolvulus blossoms shines out from +the shore. By this we know that we are not many miles +from dry ground, and other growths are already beginning to +dispute the dominance of the mangroves.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure010" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure010.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 10. White Orchids.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Silence again, to be broken by one of the most remarkable +and startling outbursts of sound which any living creature +in the world can utter. A series of unconnected sighs, +shrieks, screams, and metallic trumpet-like notes suddenly +breaking forth apparently within thirty feet, is surely excuse +enough for being startled. The hubbub ceases as abruptly +as it began; then again it breaks out, now seeming to come +from all directions, even from overhead. The author of all<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span> +this is the Chachalaca<span class="bird"><a href="#bird7">7</a></span>—a bird not larger than a common +fowl, but with a longer tail. It spends most of its time on +the ground or among the lower branches of the trees in the +swamps. It was seldom that we caught sight of one, but we +shall never forget the first time we heard their diabolical +chorus.</p> + +<p>The sun’s rays now light up the narrow path of water ahead +of us, and a thousand creatures seem to awaken and give +voice at once. Two splendid Yellow and Blue Macaws<span class="bird"><a href="#bird61">61</a></span> fly +high overhead, their screams softened by the distance; a +flock of great white-billed, Red-crested Woodpeckers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird88">88</a></span> drum +and call; from the bank comes the rolling cry of the Tinamou +and the sweet, penetrating double note of the Sun-bittern<span class="bird"><a href="#bird24">24</a></span>; +Hummingbirds squeak in their flight as they shake +the dew-drops from the orchids above us; squirrels with fur +of orange and gray scramble through the branches, fleeing +before the little capuchin monkeys. Then, one after another, +three splendid Swallow-tailed Kites<span class="bird"><a href="#bird58">58</a></span> dash past us at full +speed, brushing the surface of the water and floating upward +again.</p> + +<p>Swallows,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird119">119</a></span> emerald and white, catch the flies which hover +near us; a big yellow-breasted Flycatcher alights for a moment +on the bow of our boat—and a tropical day is fairly begun. +These and a hundred other creatures about us bathe, sing, +and seek their food during the fresh hours of early morning. +Then, as the sun rises higher and its heat draws a hush over +all, the notes of the birds die away, leaving the insect vocalists +supreme. Butterflies click here and there, a loud humming +tells of huge wasps winging their way on murderous missions, +but above all rises the chant of the cicadas. The commonest +of these grinds out harsh, reverberating tones—whir-r-r-r-r-r! +wh-r-r! wh-r-r! wh-r-r! wh-r-r! rolling the r’s in the first +utterance for a minute or more, then ending in a series of +short, abrupt whirs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> + +<p>Then another cicada, a giant species, sends his call through +the jungle; he has two strings to his bow, one a half-note +higher than the other, and on these he plays for five minutes +at a time. It is Chinese music to the very tone. Sometimes +his tune ends in a rising shriek, and we know that one +of the big blue wasps has descended on him and stabbed him +in the midst of his love-song.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure011" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure011.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 11. Sun-bittern.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The day wears on, and even the cicadas become quiet. +The sun is overhead and the air full of tropical heat. In the +shade it is always comfortable, and in the full glare of the sun +one perspires so freely that the heat is hardly felt.</p> + +<p>As we paddle lazily along, a great Tegu Lizard (<i>Teius +nigropunctatas</i>) scrambles slowly along the bank; now crawling +over a muddy expanse, now taking to the water to avoid a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span> +bushy tangle, folding back his legs and swimming with long +graceful sweeps of his tail. As we watch him he leaps at +several little crabs and catches them before they can escape +into their holes.</p> + +<p>We eat our luncheon in the shade of a clay bank, the first +hint of dry land we have seen along the caño, and here we +watch the little crocodiles basking in the sun and the crabs +scuttling over the mud. A bird of iridescent green and +orange swoops down to our very faces, and hangs swinging +in a loop of a tiny liana on the face of the bank. The next +instant it vanishes into the earth, darting into a hole hardly +larger than the crab-holes around it. We have found the +home of a Jacamar.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird86">86</a></span> At the end of the short tunnel are +four round white eggs laid on the bare clay.</p> + +<p>While examining the nest we hear at our very feet the +terrible night noise—the muffled choking sigh which has +come to us every night since we entered the mangrove wilderness. +We are standing in our narrow dug-out, which the +least movement will overturn, and for an instant it is indeed +a question whether we can control ourselves enough to keep +it from filling. Now the mystery solves itself as a large +anaconda (<i>Eunectes murinus</i>) nine or ten feet long, slowly +winds out from a hole in the bank beneath the surface of +the water and slips into the depths of the muddy current. +Then the tide laps a little lower, and a big bubble of air, +caught in the entrance of the serpent’s lair, frees itself with +a sudden gasping sob. When the tide is rising or falling +over these large openings in the mud, the air escapes from +time to time with the terrifying sound which has so long +puzzled us. Our mysterious nocturnal creature is thus +explained away in the prosaic light of day.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="figure012" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure012.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 12. Solution of the Mangrove Mystery—an Anaconda.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span></p> + +<p>An hour later as our dug-out rounds a sharp bend in the +caño, there comes to our ears a series of rasping cries—hoarse +and creaking as of unoiled wheels. The glasses show +a flock of large, brown, fowl-like birds in a clump of bushes +overhanging the water. Their barred wings and tall, delicate +crests tell us that they are the bird of all others which we had +hoped to see and study. We are floating within a hundred +feet of a flock of Hoatzins<span class="bird"><a href="#bird11">11</a></span>—the strange reptile-like, living +fossils which are found only in this part of the world, and +which are closely related to no other living bird.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure013" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure013.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 13. Hoatzins in the Bamboos on the Guarapiche.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As we draw near, the birds flutter through the foliage as if +their wings were broken. We find that this is their usual +mode of progression, and for a most interesting reason. +Soon after the young Hoatzins are hatched and while yet +unfledged they are able to leave the nest and climb about the +branches, and in this they are greatly aided by the use of the +wings as arms and hands. The three fingers of the wing are<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> +each armed with a reptile-like claw, and at the approach of +danger the birds climb actively about like squirrels or lizards.</p> + +<p>It has usually been thought that when they grow up they +lose all these reptilian habits and behave as conventional feathered +bipeds should. But we find that while, of course, the +fingers are deeply hidden beneath the long flight-feathers of +the wing, yet these very feathers are often used, fingerlike, in +forcing aside thick vines, the birds thus clambering and pushing +their way along.</p> + +<p>It was with the keenest delight of the pioneer and discoverer +that we watched these rare creatures. Although +they do not nest until July and August, yet we found them in +the very trees and bushes which held the remains of last year’s +nests, thus revealing their sedentary life during the rest of +the year. And day after day and week after week we learned +to know that they would be found in this or that tree and +nowhere else; they were veritable feathered sloths. They +fed chiefly upon leaves, but fish also entered into the bill of +fare of at least one individual.</p> + +<p>We shot two, one for the skin and the other for the skeleton, +and we found the plumage in a very worn and ragged condition, +the wing feathers especially so, where the branches and +leaves had rubbed and worn away the barbs. Throughout +the noonday heat these birds were always to be found in the +foliage overhanging the water, ready when disturbed to flop +and thrash a few yards through the mangroves and bamboos.</p> + +<p>After many days of pure delight, our note-books filled and +our photographic plates more than half gone, we decided to +see something of the Venezuelan dry land. We would go on +and on until we had left the mangroves with all their unpeopled +mystery behind us, and see what new surprises the +villages of the Guarauno (<i>War-ah-oo’no</i>) Indians and the +jungles of the foot-hills would afford.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock one night, when the stars alone cast a faint<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_30"></a>[30]</span> +weird light over everything, we sent two of the crew ahead +in the rowboat to keep our bow straight, and then began a +long night of noiseless drifting with the tide. It was a night +to remain forever in our memory. The men relieved their +monotonous towing with strange wailing chants; on each side +the mangroves slipped past, black and menacing; invisible +creatures snorted and splashed in sudden terror as we +rounded each turn; great fireflies burned on the trees and were +reflected in the water, and to our ears came the roars of the +four-handed folk, the calls and screams of night birds, the +metallic clinks of insects, and ever the gasps and chokings +of the serpents’ burrows—hardly less sinister now that we +had solved their mystery.</p> + +<p>Throughout all the night we passed up one caño, down +another, past miles and miles of black foliage, all alike to us, +almost indistinguishable in the starlight, yet early next morning +as we rose to rout the cloud of mosquitoes about our +head nets, the captain said in his soft Spanish tongue, “The +mountains of my country should be in sight ahead.” And, +indeed, an hour later, as the day dawned, we could discern +the blue haze in the north which marked the high land out.</p> + +<p>Toucans, big Muscovy Ducks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird43">43</a></span> and Snakebirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird48">48</a></span> flew past +us; great brown Woodpeckers and flights of Parrakeets swung +across the caño; dolphins played around us, but we heeded +them little, all eager to press on and see the new land.</p> + +<p>So we sat far up in the bow and watched the mountains take +form and the palms upon them become ever more distinct. +From a land of mystery untrodden by man, we were soon to +come upon a bit of land so prized by man that nations had +almost gone to war over it—La Brea (<i>Bray’ah</i>) the strange +lake of pitch hidden in the heart of the forest, with its strange +birds and fish and animals; lying on the borderland between +the foot-hills of the northern Andes and the world of mangroves +which for many days had held us so safely in its heart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_31"></a>[31]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure014" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure014.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 14. First Glimpse of the Venezuelan Mountains.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_32"></a>[32]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.<br> +<span class="smaller">THE LAKE OF PITCH.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>Heretofore we had sailed and paddled through a +land of mangroves and water, where, with the exception +of one or two tiny muddy islets in the forest, there was +no solid ground. One day the last of innumerable turns of +a narrow <i>caño</i> brought our sloop in sight of real earth—the +first dry land of eastern Venezuela. A rough wooden wharf +supporting a narrow-gauge line of rails appeared, and beyond +rose a steep hill, dotted here and there with little thatched +huts, each clinging to a niche scooped out of the clay. We +were at the village of Guanoco (<i>Wah-no’co</i>), the shipping +point of the pitch lake. A few steps beyond the last hut and +one was in the primeval forest—so limited is man’s influence +in this region of rapidly growing plants.</p> + +<p>For five miles the little toy rails zigzagged their uneven way +through the jungle. On one side was swamp, into which one +could penetrate but a short distance before encountering the +advance-guard of the mangroves, the front of the vast host +which stretched eastward mile after mile to the sea. West +of the track the land rose ten or twenty feet in many places, +but even where level it soon lost its swampy character. At +the end of the line the strange pitch lake itself appeared +as a great plain, on the borderland between low swamps and +the foot-hills of the mountains. This was our tramping-ground, +and we found it a veritable wonderland of birds and +beasts and flowers.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure015" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure015.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 15. Colony of 150 Cassiques’ Nests in One Tree.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>One of the first things which attracted our attention were the +Orioles or Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span>—great black and yellow beauties with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a>[33]</span> +long whitish beaks and an infinitely varied vocabulary. In +the north our eyes are gladdened by the sight of a single pair +of Orioles flying about their nest in the elm; here in a single tree +there were sometimes over one hundred and fifty inhabited +nests, most of which were two feet or more in length. The +more we watched these birds the more interesting they +became. They showed a real intelligence in the selection of +a site for their nests. Monkeys, tree-snakes, opossums, and +other bird-eating creatures were abundant hereabouts, and +for a colony of these conspicuous birds to conceal their nests +successfully would be impossible. So their homes are swung +out in full view of all. But one or two precautions are always +taken. Either the birds choose a solitary tree which fairly +overhangs some thatched hut, or else the colony is clustered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_34"></a>[34]</span> +close about one of the great wasps’ nests which are seen here +and there high up among the branches of the forest.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp52" id="figure016" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure016.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 16. Nest and Eggs of Yellow-backed Cassique.</span></p> + +<p>Observe the Extra Shelter Roof. The lower opening was made to show +the egg chamber.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Indians and native Venezuelans never trouble the +birds, which have been quick to realize and take advantage +of this fact, and weave their nests and care for their young +almost within arm’s reach of the thatched roofs. No monkey +dares venture here, and the mongrel dogs keep off all +the small nocturnal carnivores.</p> + +<p>But a colony of Cassiques which chooses to live in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_35"></a>[35]</span> +jungle itself would have short shrift, were it not for the +strange communal guardianship of the wasps. These insects +are usually large and venomous, and one sting would be +enough to kill a bird; indeed, a severe fever often ensues +when a man has been stung by half a dozen. So the birds +must in some way be immune to the attacks of the wasps. +Perhaps their wonderfully complete armor of feathers, scales, +and horny beak accounts for this, while their quickness of +vision and of action enables them to save their eyelids—their +one unprotected spot. Although the Cassiques cannot +have learned from experience of the terrible wounds which +the wasps can inflict, yet they are keenly alive to the advantages +to be derived from close association with them.</p> + +<p>The wasp’s nest is built far out on the tip of the limb of +some forest tree, and the long pendent homes of the Cassiques +are placed close to it, sometimes eight or ten on the same +branch, and others on neighboring limbs, so near that the +homes of insects and birds rattle against each other when +the wind blows.</p> + +<p>One such community was placed rather near the ground, +where we could watch the inhabitants closely. Frequently +when one or two of the big birds returned to their nests with +a rush and a headlong plunge into the entrance, the whole +branch shook violently. Yet the wasps showed no excitement +or alarm; their subdued buzzing did not rise in tone. +But when I reached up and moved the branch gently downward, +the angry hum which came forth sent me into the underbrush +in haste. From a safe distance I could see the wasps +circling about in quick spurts which meant trouble to any +intruder, while the excited Cassiques squeaked and screamed +their loudest. Whether the slight motion I gave to the +branch was unusual enough to arouse the insects, or whether +they took their cue from the cries and actions of the alarmed +birds, I cannot say.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_36"></a>[36]</span></p> + +<p>The nests are beautifully woven, of very tough palm leaf +shreds and grass stems, in shape like tall vases, bulging +at the bottom to give room for the eggs and young birds, +and with an entrance at the side near the top. We found +still another instance of the unusual ability of these birds +to adapt themselves to changing conditions. Those nests +which were already deserted or with young ready to fly had +simple rounded tops arching over to protect the entrance +from the sun; but in the nests which were in process of construction, +now at the beginning of the rainy season in early +April, there appeared an additional chamber with a dense +roof of thatch, in which one of the parents, the male at least +in one case, passed the nights, safe from the torrents of +sudden rain.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp64" id="figure017" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure017.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 17. Venezuelan Tree Porcupine.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Another larger species of Cassique,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird150">150</a></span> dull green in color, +built solitary nests, three feet or more in length, but seldom +near the homes of men or wasps. Here and there in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_37"></a>[37]</span> +jungle some lofty tree raised its huge white bole free of vine +and liana, and smooth as a marble column, towering far +above all its fellows; and out on the very tip of one of its +swaying branches the nest was woven—safe from all tree-climbing +enemies. The notes of these birds were like deep +resonant cowbells, ringing through the jungle, clear and +metallic.</p> + +<p>During our stay in the village of Guanoco we had abundant +opportunity to observe the relations of a tiny hamlet like +this to the great world of primeval nature all around. The +jungle pressed close, instantly filling any neglected corner +with a tangle of vines and shrubs, ever ready to sweep over +all and reforest the little clearings about the huts.</p> + +<p>Sloths were rare near the village, as it had long been a +favorite Sunday amusement to go out and bring in one or +more of these defenceless creatures for dinner. But tree +porcupines (<i>Sphingurus prehensilis</i>), with bare, prehensile +tails and faces like little manatees, were common, as were +those gentle little creatures of the night, kinkajous (<i>Cercoleptes +caudivolvulus</i>), or “couchi-couchis” as the Indians +call them. Catching porcupines and sloths is about as +exciting sport as picking blackberries; the porcupine being +too confident in its battery of spines to attempt to escape; +the sloth relying with pathetic faith on its wonderful resemblance +to a bunch of moss or leaves.</p> + +<p>The “English Sparrows” of the village were beautiful +olive-green Palm Tanagers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird144">144</a></span> and great sulphur-breasted +Flycatchers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird102">102</a></span> which shrieked <i>Kiss-ka-dee!</i> at you as you +passed by. The French in Trinidad tell you that the bird +says <i>Qu’est-ce-qu’il-dit?</i> but the Spaniard, true to his poetic +temperament, says, “<i>No, Señor, el pájaro dice ‘Cristofué!’</i>” +which seemed especially appropriate at this Easter +season.</p> + +<p>Every day one or two wild Chachalacas<span class="bird"><a href="#bird7">7</a></span> would fly from<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_38"></a>[38]</span> +the jungle to an open space near one of the huts and feed +fearlessly with the chickens for an hour or longer.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure018" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure018.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 18. Wild Chachalaca near a Guanoco Hut.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>To our northern minds the most remarkable thing was the +innumerable variety of all forms of life. Seldom did we find +many individuals of any one species, but always there was a +constantly changing panorama. We would make a careful +list of birds seen near our house, noting certain ones for +future study, and the following day scarcely one of these +would be visible, but in their place birds of strange form and +colors. The same was true of the insects and the result +was as bewildering as it was fascinating. Our habits of +observation had all to be changed. Except when birds were +actually nesting, we could never be sure of seeing the same +species twice, although there was never any doubt that each +day would add many new forms to our lists.</p> + +<p>Though we tramped for miles along the narrow Indian +trails and spent many days in swamps and dark jungles, yet<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_39"></a>[39]</span> +we were troubled scarcely at all with noxious insects. “Jiggers” +there were in moderate numbers but one could “collect” +more in one day in Virginia than in a month here at this +season. During our entire stay we saw only about three +or four minute ticks, while mosquitoes were absent, except +at night. If we dug in rotten logs, we were sure to unearth +centipedes and scorpions, many of them,—but otherwise we +rarely saw them. Once, indeed, a mother scorpion (<i>Centrurus +margaritatus</i>) with half a hundred young ones on her +back was discovered in a shoe, bringing to mind the old +nursery rhyme.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure019" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure019.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 19. Scorpion and its Young taken from Milady’s Shoe.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We found that much of the jungle was almost impenetrable, +and on one of our first excursions we were fortunate +enough to find a means of making the birds come to us from +the deeper recesses of the forest. As we left the doorway, a +silent little shadow fitted into the pommerosa tree in front of +us, and soon among the glossy leaves came a sound which we<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_40"></a>[40]</span> +had heard day and night, but the author of which had thus +far evaded us. It is impossible to put into words, but it may +be imitated by a monotone whistle, of about four notes to the +second, of A above middle C. The glasses showed a mite of a +Pygmy Owl<span class="bird"><a href="#bird60">60</a></span> glaring at us with wide yellow eyes, and firmly +clutching a dead bird, half as large as himself. Later, when +standing at the edge of an impenetrable tangle of thorny +vines and vainly trying to discover what bird was singing in +loud, ringing tones within it, we thought of the fierce little +owl, and concealing ourselves, gave the call of <i>Glaucidium</i>. +The effect was instantaneous; the song near us ceased, and +with angry cries a pair of beautiful Black-capped Mocking-thrushes<span class="bird"><a href="#bird126">126</a></span> +flew almost overhead. Black-tailed Euphonias<span class="bird"><a href="#bird139">139</a></span> +and Grassfinches followed, Bananaquits<span class="bird"><a href="#bird137">137</a></span> whirred about us, +and within a few minutes thirty or forty birds had testified +to the hatred in which the little Owl is held.</p> + +<p>A great surprise to our northern eyes was the Yellow Woodpecker,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird90">90</a></span> +not uncommon here, and clad in bright yellow +plumage from crest to tail. It was very conspicuous in +flight, but when it alighted, merged with the lichened bark +and spots of sunlight. One bird was very tame and frequented +a tree close by our window.</p> + +<p>One of our first walks led us through a narrow valley or +gorge to the westward, shaded by ranks of tall palms and +with isolated banana and cocoa plants, hinting of native +Indian clearings long since overwhelmed by the luxuriant +jungle growth. Wasps and other Hymenoptera outnumbered +other insects at this season, and one could have collected +scores of different species in a few hours. A few +Heliconia butterflies drifted across our path, and now and +then a giant morpho shot past like a meteor of iridescent blue. +Other great butterflies (<i>Caligo ilioneus</i>) were iridescent blue +and brown above, while the under sides of their wings were +mottled and with a great eye-spot on each of the hind wings,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_41"></a>[41]</span> +which gives them the name of the owl butterfly. But however +much, in an insect cabinet, the expanded reverse of the wings +suggests the face of an owl, the spot, as we observed it in the +forest, seemed rather to render the insect invisible. These +great fellows would shoot up to a lichen-covered trunk and +drop lightly upon it, and unless one’s eyes had followed +closely, the butterfly vanished like magic. Creeping up to +one we secured its picture, the mottlings on its wings merging +it with the lichens, and its owl-eyes becoming the painted +facsimiles of darkened knotholes, or of little atoll-like fungus +rings.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure020" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure020.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 20. Yellow Woodpecker.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>One is constantly impressed by the abundance and variety +of these protective adaptations. Instead of one’s eyes becoming<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_42"></a>[42]</span> +more accustomed and trained in detecting these deceptions, +the puzzles increase, and one becomes suspicious of +everything. Every few minutes we are halted by a curled +leaf which resembles some great caterpillar, or by a partly +decayed fruit which may prove to be a curiously marked +beetle. Many of these are such exact counterparts that we +have to touch them to undeceive ourselves. After seeing some +bats hung in the shadows between the buttressed bases of +great trees, we imagine them in every patch of moss or dried +leaves.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure021" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure021.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 21. Owl Butterfly on Cocoa Bark.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The resemblance to inanimate objects is never violated and +often remarkably heightened by the little creatures of fur,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_43"></a>[43]</span> +feather, scale or armor of chitin. The bats never alight in a +close compact mass, but each isolated, with its wings partly +spread, and often extended <i>irregularly</i>, one webbed hand +higher or farther out than the other, thus presenting a dull, +irregular outline, at which we should never have looked +twice, had not the little beasties become frightened and +flown. A butterfly (<i>Peridromia feronia</i>), mottled and pearly +on the upper side, snaps clicking to a lichened trunk and +alights head downward with wings flat. Beneath they are +white and conspicuous. The inverted position allows the +hinder wings to be pressed flat to the surface of the bark, +while the slight shadow caused by the prominence of the +body in front is thus below and invisible. Another, brilliant +red on the upper side and irregularly marked below, never +alights, as far as our experience went, except on some +lichened trunk. In this case however the wings were held +tightly together, and the insect always in a head downward +position. The insect took to wing so quickly that only a +hint of the red was visible.</p> + +<p>We never could tell what new form of protective resemblance +would next come under our notice. Here and there +in the woods we found trees which had fallen in a clear space +and had torn out their roots in the fall, forming a great bank +of earth and mould, held together by the network of root +fibres. Hanging suspended by slender root tendrils were +many small pellets of earth slowly swaying and disintegrating. +We found that some of these were not mere accidents of +inorganic forces, but were the nests of a small mud wasp +made in a roughly circular form and moulded to one of the +many rootlets.</p> + +<p>Lizards perhaps more than any other group of backboned +animals become part and parcel of their surroundings in form +and color. We sometimes found dull gray and green fellows +on the trunks of trees or the ends of half rotten logs, which<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_44"></a>[44]</span> +almost defied the efforts of the eye to disentangle them from +the lichens and moss amid which they clung. When one of +these did move it was with such celerity that the eye unconsciously +swept onward, impelled by momentum, and overshot +the spot where it stopped. Then another careful search +was necessary to rediscover +the reptile.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp37" id="figure022" style="max-width: 15.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure022.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 22. Lizard Alert on Trunk of Tree.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>This same glade was the +favorite haunt of two kinds of +small Manakins, the Gold-headed<span class="bird"><a href="#bird108">108</a></span> +and the White-breasted.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird111">111</a></span> +The former was +a mite of a bird, barely four +inches in length, jet-black as +to body and wings, but with +a cap of gold pulled down +over his head and ears. If +his eyes were black and beady +like those of his near relatives, +the harmony of his head-dress +would be disturbed, so Dame +Nature has sifted the gold +over his eyes as well, and the +yellow irides are almost invisible +among the feathers. Such +coloring renders him part of +his beloved gorge. If he sits +in the shade his body vanishes +and his head is naught but a +spot of sunshine; if his perch is in sunlight, the tiny, headless +body conveys no hint of a living bird.</p> + +<p>His cousin, the White-breasted, is black and white and the +four outer feathers of the wing are very narrow and curved. +These are the strings upon which he plays an æolian song<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_45"></a>[45]</span> +of love, for every time he takes to flight a loud humming sound +is produced. The females are dull olive in color but easily +recognizable by their orange feet and legs. Sometimes three +suitors would buzz and hum together about one of these +sombre little ladies in the gloom of the gorge.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure023" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure023.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 23. The Same Lizard a Moment Later, Obliterated by +Change of Position.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The rotten trees and palm stubs were filled with interesting +insects; big black palm weevils (<i>Rhyncophorus palmatum</i>) +an inch and a half long, and huge brown cockroaches three +inches from head to wing-tip (<i>Blaberus trapezoideus</i>). With +a machete we cut open one log, which was like bread in +consistency, and found two centipedes, three scorpions, one<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_46"></a>[46]</span> +of them a whip scorpion, a huge beetle larva, a small snake, +with a faint band about its neck (<i>Homalocranium melanocephalum</i>) +and most interesting of all, a Peripatus.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the reader here wonders to himself what a Peripatus +is, and it is a pity that this most important creature has +no common name. We may call it a worm-like caterpillar +or a caterpillar-like worm, for its claim to fame rests upon +its position as a so-called missing link. We know that in +long ages past the ancestor of the butterflies, beetles, wasps, +spiders and crabs was a worm-like creature, primitive in +structure and in no way hinting of the beautiful organisms +which were to be evolved in succeeding epochs. Hiding +away from light, in the warm moisture of decaying wood, the +little Peripatus has lived on and on, age after age, with little +apparent change, until we find it to-day combining the simpler +characters of the lowly worms with those of the vastly higher +caterpillars.</p> + +<p>The Peripatus which we unearthed, or rather unlogged, +was of a rich, dark reddish hue. It was caterpillar-like in +general appearance, but not divided into segments, while the +number of its very simple feet and its method of progression +brought to mind the millipedes. The long, slender antennæ +were constantly in motion, changing and extending, feeling +about and retracting.</p> + +<p>Glancing at the leaf of a low shrub, we saw what we supposed +to be two bits of dried, rolled-up leaf entangled in a +strand of spider web and being whirled about by the wind. +When we saw that this motion continued after the breeze had +died down, we became interested. We discovered that the +two objects were tineid moths of a dark pearl color, waltzing +about with the most graceful and airy motion imaginable. +With closed wings they whirled round and round by means +of their legs alone, and, most remarkably, both going in the +same direction, although this was frequently changed, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_47"></a>[47]</span> +reversal being almost instantaneous and without an instant’s +loss of the smoothness of the rhythm. Now and then their +circles overlapped, but at the first danger of collision the +tiny dervishes both retreated without stopping their dance. +Presently one flew away, and the other shifted to another leaf +near by, and recommenced his waltz alone. It was a surprise +to find these little winged millers in the rôle of graceful +dancers. The reason of it remained a mystery.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="figure024" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure024.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 24. Nest and Eggs of Great Blue Tinamou.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>These incidents are quoted as some among the myriad +interesting doings of the little folk which we observed in the +heart of these great jungles. As we walked on, virgin forest +surrounded us, with great trees centuries old, chained and +netted together by miles upon miles of lianas. Now and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_48"></a>[48]</span> +then we entered a clear glade festooned by a maze of ropes +and cables, with here and there a lofty monkey-ladder leading +upward by a wavy series of narrow steps. The cicadas +filled the air with the oriental droning of their song, and a +big Red-crested Woodpecker<span class="bird"><a href="#bird88">88</a></span> called loudly from a half-rotted, +vine-choked tree. From the undergrowth came a +soft rolling trill, a crescendo of power and sweetness, and +when our Indian carrier whispered, “<i>Gallina del monte</i>,” we +knew we were listening to the call of a Great Blue Tinamou<span class="bird"><a href="#bird1">1</a></span>—one +of those strange birds looking like brown, tailless fowls, but +of so generalized a type that they form in many ways a link +between the ostrich-like forms and the rest of the bird world. +The bird which was calling soon became silent, but creeping +slowly along we were fortunate enough to discover its nest +on a bit of sunny turf near the end of a log in a partially overgrown +clearing. All the delights of bird-nesting seemed consummated +the moment we caught sight of the two wonderful +eggs before us. The nest was merely a hollow scratched in +the grass, but the sun was reflected from two shining spheres +of metallic greenish blue, like two huge turquoises polished +as by the wheel of a lapidary. Never were such eggs; they +seemed of hard burnished metal, more akin to the stones +lying about them than to the organic world, and yet, even as +we looked, there appeared a tiny fracture, and in a few +minutes the beak of a Tinamou chick had broken through to +the outer air. The glistening cradle of stone would soon +fall apart and give to the tropical world another life—one +more mote among the millions upon millions about us.</p> + +<p>Now and then we would come across a huge low mound, +clear of undergrowth, dotted with holes from which well-trodden +paths led off in every direction. Some of these were +six inches in width, so that we could easily walk in them. +A twig poked down the holes and twisted about would come +up covered with angry ants, great brownish-black fellows<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_49"></a>[49]</span> +with a grip like a bulldog. Even this simile fails, for these +insects will allow their heads to be pulled off before they +will let go.</p> + +<p>Everywhere the ants attracted our attention; huge black +giants (<i>Neoponera commutata</i>), which seemed never to have +anything to do but parade slowly up and down the trunks of +trees; and the ever-busy parasol-ants, hustling along in single +file, waving their green banners and clinging faithfully to +them while falling down terrific precipices three or four +inches deep. We dug into their nests and found their fungi +gardens, one part of which would be freshly planted with +neat black balls of chewed-up green leaves, while in another +part the fungus was well grown—a meshwork of gray strands +whose fruit was ready to be plucked and eaten.</p> + +<p>The hunting-ants (<i>Eciton</i>) surpassed all the others in +interest. Day after day we would come across their great +armies, and we spent many hours of keen enjoyment watching +their advance. We had read of their appearance and +habits; we had heard them compared to Goths and hordes +of savages, but no description prepares one for the actual +sight. We watched in particular one large army which +carried on its operations only a short distance from our +house.</p> + +<p>Long before we came within sight of the ants themselves +their presence would be heralded by the flock of birds which +kept just in advance, feeding upon the insects which flew +up from the van of the ant legions. In one such assemblage +most of the birds were Woodhewers, big, cinnamon-colored, +creeper-like birds which hitched up the tree trunks and now +and then swooped down to the ground, snatched an insect +and swung back to the trunk. This flock of birds showed +other methods of feeding; Hummingbirds appeared from +nowhere, dashed down to a tiny insect and vanished into +space; Anis<span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span> blundered along, looking as if their wings and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_50"></a>[50]</span> +tails were too loosely attached for use; Ant-birds crept low +through the bushes and carried their prey to a twig to eat; +two American Redstarts<span class="bird"><a href="#bird128b">128b</a></span> and several Tyrant Flycatchers +caught their prey by a sudden dart and a snap of the beak. +One species in particular, the Streaked Flycatcher,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird105">105</a></span> was +always attendant on the ants and always fearless, watching +us and yet never missing a chance to snap up a passing +insect.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure025" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure025.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 25. Woodhewer clinging to the Trunk of a Tree.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As we drew nearer, a strange rustling sound reached our +ears, like the regular pattering of raindrops, and before we +knew it we were standing in the midst of thousands of active +ants, whose rushing and scrambling about over the dead +leaves caused the loud rustling. In a few seconds twenty +or thirty ants had climbed upon and above our shoes, and +their sharp, nipping bites sent us in haste to the flanks of the +army, where we freed ourselves from the fierce creatures.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_51"></a>[51]</span> +These ants are not large, varying from a fifth to a third of +an inch in length, dark in color, with lighter red abdomens.</p> + +<p>Until one becomes accustomed to these scenes of carnage +the sight is really terrible, especially when one lies down +flat and takes an ant’s-eye view of the field of battle. Yet +such is the fierceness and savage fury on one side and hopeless +terror or frantic efforts to escape on the part of the victims +that it needs but little imagination to stir deeply one’s sympathies.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure026" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure026.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 26. Streaked Flycatcher.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In place of the steady advance of a well-drilled army, presenting +a solid front of serried ranks, the formation of the +hunting-ants may be compared to an innumerable host of +cavalry scouts who quarter the ground in every direction, +the whole army slowly advancing and including new territory +in the scene of operations. Frequent flurries or louder +rustlings follow the discovery and the subsequent terrible +struggle of some quarry of noble size—a huge beetle or +mighty lizard.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a>[52]</span></p> + +<p>One fact impressed us from the first: every creature aroused +by the ants seemed to know instinctively of the awful danger. +Whether through odor or sight or sound, the alarm always +carried its full meaning. Insects which ordinarily would escape +the collecting net by a single quick motion, here dashed +away with such terror that they often flew against our clothes +or a tree, and were hurled to the ground. Lizards took +shelter under our shoes or shot off like streaks of light for +many yards. Our presence and that of the predatory birds +was disregarded in the efforts to avoid the danger which +generations of inherited experience had made the most vivid +in life.</p> + +<p>Insects which usually feigned death as a means of escape, +when disturbed by these ants used all the motor organs +given them by nature to flee from the dreaded foe. Escape +seemed to be the result of accident with all wingless creatures, +even with those possessing good eyesight, for the first blind +terrified rush as often carried them to certain death in the +thickest of the host as it did to safety in the van or on one +side of the ant army. Even wings were not a surety of +escape. Twice I saw moths arise heavily from their hiding-places +with a half-dozen of the little fiends clinging to their +legs and wings. One was snapped up, ants and all, by a +big Flycatcher, and the other fell among the quartermaster’s +brigade in the rear, where every ant within reach dropped his +load and hurled himself upon the newcomer.</p> + +<p>Here and there one might observe good-sized balls of ants +rolling about, and in the centre would be some hard-cased +beetle or other insect, who gave up only after killing and +maiming a score of his assailants.</p> + +<p>We dropped five big black ants into the midst of the +marauders, and witnessed a combat as thrilling as the contest +between the Greeks and Persians. Four of the insects +alighted on a small rounded stone over which three hunting-ants<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_53"></a>[53]</span> +were scurrying. Without hesitation the black giants +fell upon the brown warriors and tore them limb from limb, +with the loss of only half a leg. This is not a very serious handicap, +when one has five and a half robust limbs left! The +fifth big fellow dropped upon a mass of ants piled like football-players +upon a struggling scorpion, whose sting was +lashing the air in vain. The big ant started another ripple +upon this pool of death, which soon smoothed away, leaving +no recognizable trace of him. But the quartet of big-jawed +fellows on their rock citadel fought successfully and well. No +ant which crept to the top ever lived to return for help. The +four flew at him like wolves and bit him to death. Soon a +ring of hunting-ants formed around the stone, all motionless +except for a frantic twiddling of antennæ. They were apparently +excited by the smell of the blood of their dead fellows, +and only rarely did one venture now and then to scale the +summit. When we left, two hours afterward, the army had +passed, and left the stone and its four doughty defenders, who +showed no immediate intention of leaving their fortress.</p> + +<p>The ground over which the hunting-ants passed was +absolutely bare of life, and, contrary to the rule in human +armies, it was among the camp-followers and foragers that +the most perfect discipline reigned. In the rear of the main +army were lines upon lines of ants laden with the spoils: +legs, bodies, and heads of insects and spiders, bits of scaly +skin of lizard or turtle, joints of centipedes and scorpions, +and here and there a piece of ragged but gaudy butterfly-wing +borne aloft like the captured standard of some opposing +force.</p> + +<p>We followed three lines of supply-carriers and found that +they converged on some sheltered hollow in a tree or under a +boulder or root. Here were massed countless hordes of ants +clinging together like a swarm of bees. In the centre were +the queen, eggs, and young of these nomadic savages, resting<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_54"></a>[54]</span> +thus temporarily until the far-distant scouts should report +another shelter, when the whole community would shift to +the new home, farther along on the line of march.</p> + +<p>The army in which we were especially interested seemed +to be carrying on their hunting in a rough circle about the +temporary home, and perhaps this is a common habit. Certain +ants apparently serve some function of direction or +means of communication, for they keep to one place for a +half hour at a time and twiddle their antennæ with every ant +which approaches.</p> + +<p>It was when the hunting-ants discovered the nests of other +species of ants that warfare, true to its name, was waged. +One could watch as from a balloon, mimic Waterloos and +Gettysburgs, and sad to relate, in the case of inoffensive +species, plunder, murder, and abduction by the wholesale. +After studying the ways of these merciless creatures, we could +seldom walk through the quiet, sunlit jungle, with blossoming +orchids everywhere overhead and the songs of birds and +pleasant hum of insects in our ears, without thinking of the +tragedies without number ever going on around us.</p> + +<p>Used as we were only to the small lightning bugs of our +northern summer nights, the big luminous elater beetles (<i>Pyrophorus</i> +sp.) were ever of interest. The two thoracic lights +are placed on the outer posterior edges and give out a pale +greenish glow of great intensity. We could easily see to read +and write by their light, and by placing a half dozen of these +insects in a glass we could use them instead of our electric +flash.</p> + +<p>When we examined them carefully we were surprised to +find that there was another area of illumination on the abdomen, +below and just behind the insertion of the third pair +of legs. When fully illuminated this area was brilliant and +of a figure ∞ shape. The light however was radically different +from that of the thorax, being yellowish, and candle-like,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_55"></a>[55]</span> +giving an illusory impression of an opening from the +incandescent interior of the insect. When the insect settles +to rest the only visible illumination is from the pair of +thoracic lights, but in flight the abdominal searchlight comes +into play, burning brightly with a strong yellowish glare quite +different from the green thoracic lights.</p> + +<p>As we lay at night half asleep we would sometimes be +awakened by the droning of one or two big elaters, whose +intermittent flashes would illumine the whole room. More +than once we had to capture the intruders with the butterfly +net and banish them before we could get any sleep.</p> + +<p>We chloroformed two of these luminous beetles and pinned +them in an insect box. Two evenings afterward when we +had occasion to add more insects, the box was opened and to +our surprise the little lanterns were still aglow and hardly +less brilliant than when the insects were alive. They had +been dead forty-eight hours and yet their light still shone +ghostly white, lighting up the other insects in the box.</p> + +<p>One evening we found a tiny wire worm, the larva of some +small species of elater, which was highly phosphorescent. +Although only about one-half of an inch in length, the whole +head, the posterior segment and a spot on the side of each of +the others was bright. Watched as it moved smoothly and +rapidly along, it reminded us of a ship passing at a distance +at night with the lights streaming from the port-holes.</p> + +<p>Our trips to the pitch lake on the early morning engine +will never be forgotten. A warning toot from the diminutive +whistle hurries us through our breakfast, and we hasten to the +track and see our cameras and guns loaded on one of the +little square wooden “empties.” We mount the wood-filled +tender of the engine, which with many complaining creaks +and jolts get under way, backing slowly around the curve +which hides the last sign of civilization and buries us in the +jungle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_56"></a>[56]</span></p> + +<p>For nearly twenty years these little toy engines have bustled +and elbowed their way over the snaky rails, until the jungle +and its people have come to look upon this narrow winding +steel path as part of the general order of things. The underbrush +creeps close, and only the constant whipping of the +engines and cars beats down the growth between the rails.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="figure027" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure027.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 27. The Jungle Railroad.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As we start, the last bats of night dash into the dark +jungle, and their diurnal prototypes, a flock of graceful Palm +Swifts,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird71">71</a></span> swoop about overhead. To our ears there comes +the <i>finalé</i> of the morning chorus of distant red howlers and +the first deep-toned boilings of the giant Cassiques.</p> + +<p>All along the line, beasts and birds show their lack of fear +of the rumbling cars. A party of chattering little monkeys<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_57"></a>[57]</span> +sit and gibber at us and rub their dew-drenched fur. Their +parents and great-grandparents had found nothing to fear +in this strange thing which, five times each day, crawls back +and forth on its narrow trail, and why should they do more +than look and wonder? As we come in sight of the muddy +banks of the little river, a great Parrot shrieks in derision at +us from the top of a dead stub by the track, executing slow +somersaults for our benefit. Instinctively we look for a +chain on its leg and a food cup near by! A splash draws +our eyes downward, and from a maelstrom of muddy water +shoots a villainous sting ray. A school of little staring four-eyes +skips over the water, and near the swampy, farther +bank, a sprawling half-grown crocodile watches us—as +quiet as a stranded log.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure028" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure028.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 28. Spider Lilies near Pitch Lake.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a>[58]</span></p> + +<p>The air blows cool and damp on our faces, and we long +for the keen power of scent of a dog. Even to our dull +nostrils every turn of the road is full of interest. A swamp, +thickly starred with dainty spider-lilies, comes into view, +and we inhale draughts of sweetest incense; Easter Sunday +is at hand, and the very wilderness reminds us of it.</p> + +<p>With every breath of air the great palm leaves flick myriads +of drops to the underbrush below, with a sound as of heavy +rain. The trunks are black and soaked, and there is not a +dry frond for miles. A sudden curve brings another loop +of the river into view, with a foreground of scuttling crabs +and mangrove seedlings. Here a wave of coarse, salty, +marsh smell fills our lungs—not stagnant, but redolent of +the distant sea; the smell that makes one’s blood leap. The +next quarter-mile is covered with lilies again. From their +perfume we enter a zone of recently cut grass—and the +incense brings to mind northern hay-fields and the sweet-grass +baskets of the Indians. What new pains and pleasures +would be ours could we possess the power of scent of some +of the “lower” animals!</p> + +<p>Temperate succeed tropical vistas; we see what at first +appears to be a grove of young chestnuts rising from rhododendrons +and guinea-grass. A Spotted Sandpiper<span class="bird"><a href="#bird22">22</a></span> heightens +the illusion, and the picture is complete when a familiar milk-weed +butterfly floats by and alights on a red and yellow +tansy. But just then a Macaw shrieks from a near-by tree—the +road-bed turns and reveals a tangle of palms and scarlet +heliconias—a monkey climbs up a leaf large enough to +shelter half a hundred of his kind. Strange palm fruits come +into view, some like enormous clusters or bunches of grapes—each +fruit as large as an orange; or again a huge feathery, +dependent frond of dust-brown blossom and fruit protected +by an overhanging spathe like a huge umbrella.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_59"></a>[59]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure029" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure029.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 29. La Brea—The Lake of Pitch.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_60"></a>[60]</span></p> + +<p>The jungle never gives up the struggle against the invading +rails. Beneath the cars the constant friction only dwarfs +the growth, and we find here miniature plants blooming, +fruiting, and scattering seed; plants which elsewhere reach a +height of five or six feet. It is an interesting case of quick +adaptation to unfavorable conditions.</p> + +<p>The vegetation presses on every inch of the track, striving +ever to close up the long scar through the heart of the forest, +and only by systematic cutting is the way kept open. The +advance of the jungle host is most interesting. Thirty feet +from the rails the growth is primeval, a dense mass of entangled +and interlaced vines, shrubs, palms, and giant trees, +the boles of the latter shooting up and up through the mass +and bursting into bloom high overhead. Nearer the track +we find a phalanx of green banners and the wonderfully +brilliant red and yellow flower stalks of the quick-growing +heliconias. In front are the rough scouts, the real advance-guard +of strong, thorny vines growing in close entanglement—a +living <i>chevaux-de-frise</i>, inconspicuous and yet offering +the greatest resistance. Under this shelter the larger but +slower-growing components of the jungle take root and +gather vigor, until, if not cut out with the hardest labor, +they soon rear their heads from their nursery of vines and +brambles, and the shining rails vanish from view.</p> + +<p>All the creatures of the forest cross and recross the track +freely, even in front of an approaching train. Water-fowl, +Sun-bitterns<span class="bird"><a href="#bird24">24</a></span> and the weird-voiced Trumpeters<span class="bird"><a href="#bird25">25</a></span> walk up +and down, and flocks of Seedeaters<span class="bird"><a href="#bird132">132</a></span> drift here and there, +gleaning seed from between the rails. The Trumpeters were +a great surprise to us, as this is the first instance of their +being found north of the Orinoco River. One day we see +the leaves part, and a long, low-shouldered reddish form +slouches across before us, without even a glance at us, and +we know it for the first South American puma (<i>Felis +concolor</i>) which we have seen. Another “red lion,” as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_61"></a>[61]</span> +the natives called it, with two cubs, was seen not long +before.</p> + +<p>Only the sloth is barred. He comes close to the endless +swath; he wanders from tree to tree up and down, peering dully +out across the track, but he cannot cross. The twenty-foot +treeless embankment is as impregnable to him as a sheer +wall of rock. With a weird cry he turns back and starts in +another direction through the branches.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure030" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure030.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 30. The Fatal “Mother of the Lake.”</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We reach the lake long before the dew is dried and before +the freshness of the dawn is dissipated. Hurrying over the +planks and the temporary rails laid for the workman’s hand-cars, +we push on a half-mile or more to the southward, where +nothing hints of man’s proximity. To the north and west +are irregular peaks running off into a blue and misty range—the +foot-hills of the Spanish Main. To the south the high +woods are close to us and tower high overhead, but even +with the eye of yonder lofty, soaring Vulture we could see no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_62"></a>[62]</span> +mountains in that direction—nothing but flat, green miles +of mangroves, stretching to the horizon over the immense +delta of the Orinoco. The pitch lake itself is surrounded on +all sides by dense forests, the front ranks of which are made +up of the marvellously tall and graceful moriche palms. +There is one oasis in this pitchy expanse—Parrot Island it +may be called. To this shelter, guarded on all sides by soft, +quaking pitch, Amazon Parrots come at dusk by hundreds, +roosting there until the next morning.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="figure031" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure031.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 31. White-headed Chimachima Hawk and Eta Palm.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Near the northern edge is the “mother of the lake,” just +above the deep-hidden source of supply, where the pitch is +always soft, and where no vegetation grows. It is a veritable +pool of death, and nothing can enter it and live. The lizards<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_63"></a>[63]</span> +and heavy-bodied insects which scamper over the rim are +often clogged and drawn down to death. A jaguar, leaping +after a Jacana, slipped in shortly before we came and made +a terrible fight for life. Half blinded, its struggles carried +it only farther outward, but fortunately the end came mercifully +soon.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure032" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure032.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 32. Amazon Parrot Roost, Pitch Lake.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>All the rest of the lake is a varied expanse of black pitch +bubbles, short grass, clumps of fern and sedge, with occasional +isolated palms. Flowers of many kinds and colors spring +from the heart of the raw pitch itself. Jacanas<span class="bird"><a href="#bird23">23</a></span> rise before +us with loud cries and flashing wings of gold. One may +walk over the lake at will, morning and evening, but in the +heat of midday, in many places, one’s shoes sink quickly +unless one keeps constantly on the move.</p> + +<p>White is not a very common color in nature, and yet here, +in striking contrast with the inky blackness of the pitch, most +of the birds show large patches of this color. In the distance<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a>[64]</span> +are always to be seen Snowy Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird33">33</a></span> and immature +Blue Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird34">34</a></span>—spots of purest white, while near at hand, +absurdly tame, a big hawk forever soars slowly about or +perches on some great frond of a tall palm. It is a White-headed +Chimachima Hawk<span class="bird"><a href="#bird56">56</a></span> with plumage of white, save for +back, wings, and tail.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure033" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure033.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 33. The Home of the Amazon Parrot in the Middle of +Pitch Lake.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The two most abundant small birds are chiefly white in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_65"></a>[65]</span> +color. Both are Flycatchers, one with white head and neck—White-headed +Marsh Flycatcher<span class="bird"><a href="#bird98">98</a></span>—perching in the reeds +and making fierce sallies after passing insects, while even +more beautiful and conspicuous are the little terrestrial +Flycatchers—White-shouldered Ground Flycatchers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird97">97</a></span> or +“Cotton Birds”—which scurry along the ground over +pitch and fallen logs. Their tails continually wag from side +to side, and they come within a few feet of us, uttering low +inquiring notes: <i>pit! pit!</i> They too are clad in white, except +for back, nape, wings, and tail.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure034-035" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure034-035.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Amazon Parrot at Entrance of Nest.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 34. Fifteen feet away. <span class="spacer">Fig. 35. Ten feet away.</span></span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We follow one about, watching it through the ground-glass +of the camera, when we blunder into a thicket of dry,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_66"></a>[66]</span> +crackling twigs. A sudden rustling sound draws our attention, +and we look up and find ourselves within a few feet of a +dry palm stub. Around the roughened stringy bark peers a +green head with wide, yellow eyes, and we stiffen into +immobility. The position is anything but comfortable; +thorns are scratching us, flies are tickling our faces, but we +dare not move. After five minutes, which seem hours, the +big Yellow-fronted Amazon Parrot<span class="bird"><a href="#bird64">64</a></span> withdraws, and we hear +a scuttling within the stub. Silently and with the greatest +caution we step backward, and after a rest we arrange our +plan of attack.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure036" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure036.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 36. Amazon Parrot about to take Flight.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>These birds usually nest in hollows in the tops of the tallest, +most inaccessible trees, and this is a golden opportunity—one<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_67"></a>[67]</span> +in a lifetime—for a photograph of a Parrot at +home.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure037" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure037.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 37. Eggs and Young of Amazon Parrot in the Nest.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The entrance is rectangular, about three by six inches, and +some five feet above the ground. Painfully I pick my way +to the side of the stub, and bracing myself, focus on that spot +of black on the trunk. Then Milady rustles the weeds in the +rear of the stub. Again a rustling, and on the ground-glass of +my Graflex flashes the green head. Snap! I have her! and +with the slowest of motions I change plates. While she is +engrossed with the disturber in the rear I advance a step and +get another picture. Then screwing up my speed-button, I +push slowly forward, and just as she is about to hurl herself<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a>[68]</span> +from the stub I secure a third photograph. Off she goes to +the nearest palms, shrieking at the top of her lungs, and is +joined by her mate.</p> + +<p>We cut a hole in the trunk near the ground, and there find +the nest of the parrot. Three white eggs, one of which is +pipped, and a young bird just hatched reward us, all resting +on a bed of chips. The diminutive polly is scantily clothed +with white down, and while in the shade lies motionless. +When a ray of warm sunlight strikes it the little fellow becomes +uneasy and crawls and tumbles about until it escapes +from the unwelcome heat. During its activity it keeps up a +continuous, low, raucous cry like the mew of a catbird. Far +out on the expanse of black pitch—six feet in the depth of +this dark cavity!—this little squawking mite surely had a +strange babyhood to fit it for its future life in the sunlight +among the palms.</p> + +<p>It was the Yellow-fronted Amazon Parrot,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird64">64</a></span> a common +species with dealers everywhere, but we shall never see +one in a cage, uttering inane requests for crackers, without +thinking of the interesting family we discovered at the pitch +lake.</p> + +<p>We found strange fish in the pools of water scattered over +the lake. Some must have wriggled their way over dry land +for some distance to get there. There were round, sunfish-like +fellows (<i>Aequidens</i>) and others, long and slender, with +wicked-looking teeth (<i>Hoplias malabaricus</i>). Most curious +of all were the Loricates or armored catfish, with a double +row of large overlapping scales enclosing their body from +head to tail. Like the Hoatzins among the birds, these fish +are strange relics of the past, preserved almost unchanged +from the ancient fossil Devonian forms.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_69"></a>[69]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure038-039" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure038-039.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fish from the Pools in Pitch Lake.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 38.</span> <i>Aequidens</i> Sp.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 39.</span> <i>Hoplias Malabaricus.</i></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_70"></a>[70]</span></p> + +<p>Days passed like hours in this wonderland, and the +time for returning to civilization came all too soon. The +strange living beings which filled jungle and air and water, +made us long for the leisure of months instead of weeks, +in which to study all the infinite variety of life which +surrounded us.</p> + +<p>Our last view of Venezuela was like the first—a panorama +of silent, majestic green walls, guarding a stream of brilliant +copper; every one of the untold myriads of beating hearts +beyond the walls resting silent in the noonday heat, waiting +for the coolness of evening to awaken them to activity. To +some it would bring song and happiness with nest and mate, +to some combat, to others death.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_71"></a>[71]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.<br> +<span class="smaller">A WOMAN’S EXPERIENCES IN VENEZUELA.<br> +(<i>By Mary Blair Beebe.</i>)</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>The doings of the creatures in fur, feathers and scales +kept us keenly interested from morning to night, yet in +our wilderness search there were many unnatural history +experiences—some disagreeable, others thrilling—but all so +wholly delightful in their charm of strangeness to the woman +who enjoyed them that the picture of our wilderness seems +incomplete without them.</p> + +<p>Life on board a Venezuelan sloop is quite unlike any other +experience in the world. Neither the woman who sits under +the awning of a luxurious yacht nor her more adventurous +sister who sails her own catboat over turbulent waters can +form any idea of the daily life aboard such a craft.</p> + +<p>The night we set forth in our tiny sloop from the Island of +Trinidad, headed for an unexplored part of the Orinoco +delta, it was hard to realize that we were at last bound for +South America, the land of our dreams. As you know we +were, for the present, owners of a sloop flying the Venezuelan +flag and manned by five men, of whom only the +Captain knew a word of English. The charm of exploration +and adventure laid a spell upon us both—El Señor Naturalista +and me—and we watched in silence the sunset sky +and the dim receding shores of Trinidad.</p> + +<p>But there was a certain stern reality about that first night +aboard the “Josefa Jacinta” that soon broke in upon our +reveries. When we descended to the tiny cabin to unpack,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_72"></a>[72]</span> +the sloop had begun to pitch heavily and we set ourselves to +solve the problems of unstable equilibrium, which constantly +shifting angles of 30° to 40° presented in both floor and walls. +By courtesy we called our domicile a cabin, and we found +that it would hold two people—at a pinch!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure040" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure040.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 40. Our Sloop at Guanoco.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We unearthed our unused pneumatic mattresses and +rigged up our gilded foot pump. For fifteen minutes W—— +worked, then the mate was called and took a hand. Were we +on a sinking ship and manning the pumps for our lives, +greater exertions could not have been made, and the reward +was a thin film of air within the rubber bed. Then we unscrewed +the decorative but useless contrivance, and W—— +began to blow. This proved effective, and in a few minutes +we had placed the soft, air-filled cushions in our respective +bunks. We dubbed these bunks catacombs at once, for the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_73"></a>[73]</span> +tiny niches into which we later crept were more like the +vaults of a tomb than aught else.</p> + +<p>I doubt if either of us will ever forget that first night. Beneath +the flooring and behind the planked sides of the vessel +was a mysterious underworld, densely populated by rats of +most sportive disposition. How they managed to live there +we never discovered, for we neither caught sight of one +throughout the voyage, nor were we ever troubled by raids on +biscuits or other edibles.</p> + +<p>There seemed to be some kind of a running track extending +around the hidden depths of the sloop. A race would start +near the stern, the contestants tearing around W——’s bunk; +then the footfalls would die out toward the bow to become +audible almost at once on my side—a medley of sound indicating +a mob of invisible rushing creatures, galloping down +a mysterious homestretch. For some time we expected the +goal of each race to be some part of ourselves or our luggage, +but the “heat” would invariably end on the under side of the +partition within a few inches of my ear, and then would follow +a general mêlée and fight, punctuated with shrill squeaks +and squeals and vicious blows and sounds of tumbling, rolling +bodies. Were we in the mood we might have learned much +of rat vocabulary. But we did not then know that these +strenuous rodents never penetrated to the upper portions of +the sloop and this uncertainty kept alive our interest in their +manœuvers throughout the night.</p> + +<p>Silence was unknown during this first night, and while the +rats were resting, other things occupied our minds and kept +away <i>ennui</i>—and sleep. The gurgle and splash of bilge +water was a steady accompaniment of the pitch and toss of the +sloop, while now and then a sinister trickling came to our ears. +We called up to the captain and inquired about it, and were +assured that it was “only a leak!” He had looked for it many +times, but could not locate it. This gave us food for thought,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_74"></a>[74]</span> +besides adding decidedly to the slowness of the ticking of the +watch marking the passage of the hours of darkness. I lay +in my berth as long as I could endure it; dreaming now and +then of being buried alive, then rising with a start and striking +my head against the coffin lid of my catacomb. At last I +abandoned it for the floor of the cabin, sloping and under +five feet in total length though it was. I found it was better +to be huddled in a forlorn little bundle on the floor than in +that hole which by no stretch of the imagination could be +called a berth.</p> + +<p>Overhead the crew worked fitfully all night long. I could +move the hatch curtain, look up and see the sturdy old +Captain with his hand on the rudder—a picture which was +to become familiar to us through many nights. What a +picturesque old figure he was—rugged and stern, yet as +gentle and courteous as any gentleman of the old school—and +bearing his three-score and eight years with wonderful +vigor. Now and then his deep voice would rise above the +roar of wind and waves in hoarse commands in Spanish to +the crew. Then he would push the rudder hard up, the +boom would swing over with a jerk which made the whole +sloop tremble and a wave would wash over the deck and +send a trickle of cold drops down upon my face. Smothered +exclamations from the crew and the sound of their bare feet +splashing along the deck would end the audible part of the +manœuvre. Then I would shift to meet the new angle of the +floor and wait for the next race of the rats.</p> + +<p>Now and then the Captain would reach behind the hatch +curtain for his watch and examine its dripping face by the +light of the candle in the compass box. “<i>Faltan las cinco á +la una</i>,” he would mutter, and I knew that midnight had +passed and that somewhere in our wake, morning was on its +way to end this night of nights. The tempest increased and +tossed our sloop like a flying leaf. Sometimes it seemed as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_75"></a>[75]</span> +if we never would right ourselves after heeling far over into +the depths. But the calm face of our helmsman dispelled +all uneasiness, and I lay staring into the darkness, feeling +myself the veriest atom amid this fierce tumult.</p> + +<p>To this moment I cannot tell how long it took us to get from +Trinidad to Venezuela across that awful Gulf of Paria. To +me it seemed an endless space of time—day succeeding +night—with choppy seas, ominous noises in the pitching cabin, +hot sleepy hours on deck in the shade of the sail, with the great +green waves forever rolling after and breaking partly over us. +By the Captain’s reckoning, however, it was the noon of only +the second day which revealed the distant shore, and soon we +forgot all the discomforts of the past hours in the wonderful +beauty of the scene before us—the still, brassy waters and +the rich green mangroves.</p> + +<p>Entering the wide Caño San Juan we dropped anchor in +the lee of a solitary guard ship, a poor derelict, a rusty and +worn-out freighter, whose last days were to be spent here in +the calm waters at the edge of the mangrove forest. Our +little sloop was soon over-run with young custom-house +officials from the guard ship, curious but courteous, and far +more appreciative of the stiff rounds of rum which our Captain +willingly served to them under our direction, than of +our gilt-sealed letters of introduction.</p> + +<p>If we would but take their photographs on board the “Pontón,” +they would row us close along the shore while we waited +for the “fulling tide,” as the Captain called it. Of course we +agreed. Shouldering their rusty muskets they stood in a row +to be photographed,—young inexperienced boys, whose +idle days on the derelict were spent in drinking, smoking +cigarettes and lying in hammocks playing the mandolin, +watching for the rare sloop or schooner which might enter +Venezuela by this desolate and unfrequented caño.</p> + +<p>We promised to send them the pictures; but Captain Truxillo<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_76"></a>[76]</span> +said afterwards with a sad shake of his head that they +would have lost their positions long before the pictures could +reach them. No one ever stayed long; there was always +someone to carry reports to Castro of treachery and plotting, +and there would be new faces on the “Pontón,” to stay a little +while and then to disappear like their predecessors.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure041" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure041.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 41. Venezuelan Soldiers on the “Pontón” Guard Ship.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Now for many days the sloop was our home, and the innumerable +gleaming <i>caños</i> of the delta our highways. By day +we explored the mangroves in our <i>curiara</i> or dug-out, and by +night we slept the dreamless sleep of healthful outdoor life, +safe from the persecution of the humming <i>Anopheles</i> outside +our netting on the after deck. When midday heat or +sudden rain drove the wild creatures from our view I +studied our motley crew and found them a never-failing +source of entertainment.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_77"></a>[77]</span></p> + +<p>The tally of the crew must begin with Filo, the mate, a +huge black creole, speaking Spanish besides his own strange +vernacular; then there were two sailors from the Island of +Margarita, and Antonio, cook by profession, admitting some +Dutch blood, but of unknown extraction and decidedly uncertain +disposition. The cook on board a Venezuelan craft +is always given the respectful title of Maestro (<i>Mai’stro</i>), so +Maestro he always was to us. Maestro as an individual was +an interesting psychological study. Although he probably +never heard of such a thing as a labor union, yet he was the +embodied spirit of one. He declared, in terms that left no +possibility of misunderstanding, that he was cook, not sailor, +and that he would do nothing <i>but</i> cook. He would cook +cheerfully over a stove that smoked like Dante’s Inferno, +but when called upon in an emergency to help hoist a sail, +he would fly into a violent torrent of angry Spanish. Later +when the temper had spent itself he would often go and do +what was asked of him. I have seen many high tempers, +but never one that quite equalled Maestro’s. There were +times when he would draw his huge cutlass or machete on the +Captain. For a long time these were all false alarms, but at +last Maestro threatened once too often and so seriously that +he was discharged on the spot, and left marooned in a little +Indian village with no means of returning to Trinidad. But +this was at the end of our voyage.</p> + +<p>Maestro in his patched and faded shirt, with sleeves rolled +to the elbow, still more patched trousers rolled to the knee, +bare as to feet, a crownless hat on one side of his head, an +ancient and odoriferous pipe hanging from his mouth, a big +machete at his side, in the capacity of cook would make the +most shiftless housekeeper gasp with horror. I often wondered +why he so persistently declared himself <i>cocinero</i>, not +<i>marinero</i>, for he could hardly have been a greater failure in any +calling than he was in that of chef. Among the most valued<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_78"></a>[78]</span> +of my memories are some mental pictures of Maestro, which, +while I live, I can never manage to forget.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure042" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure042.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 42. Captain Truxillo paddling us up the Guarapiche +past Caño Colorado.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>I often shut my eyes and see him with streaming eyes +stirring some fearful concoction over the little stove; or again +on his knees mixing dough for the leaden dumplings to be +boiled in the pig-tail stew which appeared at every meal. We +so often wished we had brought graham flour. White flour +does show the dirt so! Still another picture is Maestro +washing the table-cloth. This was a piece of oilcloth, originally +white, and Maestro’s method of washing it was to spread +it on the deck, pour water over it, dance upon it in his bare +feet, to the accompaniment of some weird chant, and finally +hang it on the rail to dry! No doubt after this proceeding he +felt as self satisfied as the most pompous and well-trained +English butler.</p> + +<p>In justice, I must say that Maestro did make one or two<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_79"></a>[79]</span> +edible dishes; he could boil the native vegetables, yam, +tania and kuch-kuch and he made very good cornmeal mush. +Then after a long, happy day on the caños we were always +hungry, and happiness and honest hunger overlook a multitude +of sins. Besides, whatever was lacking in Maestro’s bill +of fare was compensated by the dried soups, cocoa, crackers +and preserves from our own stores. So we managed one way +or another to keep the wolf from the door, or perhaps more +appropriately I should say, the crocodile from the companionway.</p> + +<p>As in two weeks the crew had consumed provisions planned +by the Captain to last a month, the Captain purchased a hundred +pounds of beef from a dug-out full of Indians which +passed us one day on the river. This Maestro salted plentifully +and then hung up in the sun to cure. Long strips of it +were suspended from the rigging, from the boom, and over the +railing, and whole entomological collections buzzed noisily +about them. For a few days we felt as though we were +living in a butcher’s shop; and a butcher’s shop in a +tropical climate is a thing to be avoided. At first we were +inclined to resent this impromptu meat market. It was +not only disagreeable but it was in the way. Then came +the thought—suppose it were fish; and we were so grateful +to be spared that, that we cheerfully submitted to a sloop +draped with strips of meat, as a house is festooned with smilax +at Christmas. As long as the larder was low the Captain had +known no peace of mind for fear his crew would desert us +and the sloop. So the purchase of such a delicacy as meat +was a successful piece of strategy.</p> + +<p>With all their faults, there is among the Venezuelans, as +among the Mexicans, a certain chivalry toward women; and +so I never felt the least alarm at being left alone on the +sloop with the crew, while the Captain and my husband went +off up the river. The great dusky Creole mate would put my<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_80"></a>[80]</span> +stool in a shady spot, and, figuratively, lay himself at my feet +to serve me, and Maestro—even pugnacious Maestro—would +weave wonderful baskets for me of the roots of the mangrove; +baskets in nests of twelve, each fitting snugly within +the other and all gayly dyed with the Venezuelan colors, the +pigments being extracted from the leaves or stems of unknown +wild plants.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure043" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure043.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 43. Sunset in the Mangrove Wilderness.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The time passed all too quickly with each day spent on the +Guarapiche river—a gleaming stage, with a setting of green +trees, brilliant flowers and fragrant orchids, and an ever-changing +plot with ever-changing actors. Of them all, man +was the least important. There were populous villages of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_81"></a>[81]</span> +Hoatzins and great wandering tribes of Scarlet Ibises and +Plovers; Herons, much occupied with their unsocial and +taciturn calling as fishermen, stood silent and solitary in +secluded pools. With all this wild life the river teemed. It +was only with the rising and falling of the tide that man +entered upon the scene; and so quietly, so much a part of +nature, that one hardly felt any difference between him and +the forest folk. In a silently, swiftly moving <i>curiara</i> he would +glide under the shadows of the overhanging mangroves. +Sometimes the <i>curiara</i> would be a merchant vessel, laden +with ollas, fruit, etc., with its destination Maturin, many +miles away in the interior. Again its only occupant was a +fisherman, as silent as the Herons themselves. Like a Heron<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_82"></a>[82]</span> +also he would station himself near a shady pool, and sit all +day, motionless save for the changing of bait or the pulling +in of a fish. With the turning of the tide the line would be +drawn up, the fish covered with cool green leaves and the +<i>curiara</i> would move away, the bronze figure of its owner +skilfully guiding it up the winding river.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure044" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure044.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 44. The Silent Savages.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Occasionally the fisherman was accompanied by his squaw, +hardly to be distinguished from him, and in the bow there +was often the little naked figure of a child playing with a mite +of a tame monkey, or both sound asleep with their arms +wrapped about each other. All that these simple folk ask +of life is one fish to eat, another with which to buy cassava +and a yard of cotton cloth.</p> + +<p>In the brief tropical twilight we would hastily make preparations +for the night, spreading our air-beds on deck, +hanging over them a white mosquito canopy and putting our +electric flashlight and revolver at hand. After the first two +nights we had abandoned the cabin, which had added to its +other discomforts the fact that all the mosquitoes of the +caño had selected it as their abode. Never were nights +more beautiful than those which we spent on the deck of that +little sloop, and never was sleep more dreamless and peaceful.</p> + +<p>In the darkness of early evening, before the moon rose, we +would sit on deck munching sugar-cane while the Captain +told us many a tale of his young days, when he was the +prosperous owner of a schooner twice the size of the “Josefa +Jacinta” and when smuggling brought adventure and yellow +gold in abundance. He was full of legend and superstition. +He told us of aged men and women, both among the Indians +and the Spaniards, who he declared can by a peculiar whistle +call together all the snakes in the vicinity and then by incantations +so hypnotize them that they can be handled with +impunity. The owner of a hacienda will sometimes employ +one of these charmers to call together the snakes, which can<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_83"></a>[83]</span> +then be killed. The performers themselves, however, will +never harm a snake. He told many a story of black magic +arts, in which he firmly believed, of sending to one’s enemies +scourges of rats or deadly diseases or departed spirits +to make life unendurable.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure045" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure045.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 45. Guarauno Indians coming to trade at Caño Colorado.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Finally the crew would roll up in their blankets in the bow, +the Captain would disappear beneath his <i>mosquitaro</i>, which +would tremble and quake in the moonlight until he lay quiet +in his hammock. We would creep beneath our tent of +netting to write up the last notes of the day or to listen to +the sounds of the night. From the bow would come a low +murmur of voices in some weird chanting song until the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_84"></a>[84]</span> +Captain roared out for all hands to go to sleep. But he would +not practice what he preached for he always talked himself +to sleep, sometimes in English, or in Spanish or again in +Creole, while now and then he would mingle all three.</p> + +<p>By day one would not have suspected Filo, the mate, of +being a person of romance; but under the spell of the tropical +moonlight he would often tell stories to the crew; stories in +which the heroine was always “<i>Muy preciosa, muy joven, +muy linda</i>,”—very charming, very young and very beautiful. +She would set difficult tasks for her many lovers, and her +favored suitor would be the one who most bravely bore himself +under the tests. I remember one tale to which the crew +listened with awe; in which one of the lovers was to lie all +night in the cathedral, stiff and still like a corpse; another +was to go to the same cathedral on the same night dressed +in winding sheets like a ghost; another was to represent the +angel of death, while a fourth impersonated the devil; and a +fifth was sent as an ordinary man. Of course none of them +were to know of the others having been sent by the fair +heroine of the story; and of course the fortunate lover was +the one who showed no terror and passed the night quietly +in the church, returning in the morning to claim his bride.</p> + +<p>The story had its dramatic situations and Filo made the +most of them. Even Maestro was moved to utter a low +“<i>Dios mio!</i>” at the description of the entrance of the ghost, +the angel of death and finally the devil; at which the poor +corpse, who had been shaking with fear through it all, started +up and fled in terror.</p> + +<p>Filo’s story lost nothing in his telling and the superstitious +crew went very soberly to rest that night. W—— and I lay, +as we so often did, staring wonderingly out into the night,—the +marvellous tropical night.</p> + +<p>It was all like a dream; the shining water of the <i>caño</i>, the +deep, mysterious forest growing down to the water’s edge, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_85"></a>[85]</span> +cries of unknown birds and beasts, the impressive southern +cross and the extraordinary brilliancy of the moonlight shining +down upon the tiny deck of the “Josefa Jacinta,” and +upon us and the sleeping forms of its dusky crew.</p> + +<p>We were sometimes awakened in the night by a sudden +bright light in our faces. It was Maestro making a fire, in +which operation he used alarming quantities of kerosene, to +prepare the midnight repast for the crew, who whenever they +woke in the night would call loudly “<i>Maestro—café!</i>”</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure046" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure046.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 46. Guarauno Squaws and Child with Monkey.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Again the sound of an unusually heavy downpour of tropical +rain on the tarpaulin overhead would waken us, and I +would occasionally discover that my feet were in a puddle of +water. A shifting of beds to prevent our being drowned +while we slept would invariably result in our feet being<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_86"></a>[86]</span> +higher than our heads, and because of the horde of mosquitoes +which found their way in while the beds were being +moved, the rest of that night would be sleepless.</p> + +<p>With the dawn came the roar of the howling monkeys; +a dainty <i>Tigana</i><span class="bird"><a href="#bird24">24</a></span> picked its way among the mud-flats; a flock +of <i>Hervidores</i><span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span>—which being translated means “boilers,” +an appellation perhaps suggested by the notes of these black +Cuckoos—bubbled away as cheerily as a bright kettle on a +breakfast table. And with these sounds of the dawn all our +troubles of the night were forgotten.</p> + +<p>After weeks of solitude in the mangrove jungles our prow +was headed inland and a long night of silent drifting with +the tide brought us to the mouth of the Guanoco River. Here +the Captain and the unruly crew at dawn had their usual +heated argument as to the management of the boat, with the +result that they nearly ran her aground—one of the many +narrow escapes which had happened so often as to create +but little interest on our part.</p> + +<p>Guanoco was a river of bends, around each one of which +the Captain assured us we would see the village. But it was +twilight before we turned the final bend and saw picturesque +Guanoco at the hour of <i>vespertino</i>—a hill rising steep and +blue, with the silvery river at its foot and a cluster of little +thatched huts perched one above another on the hillside.</p> + +<p>It was delightful to feel solid ground under one’s feet +again and we could hardly get over our accustomed walk of +“three steps and over-board.”</p> + +<p>Here in our wilderness we found an unexpected home. +Through the kindness of our cordial friends in Trinidad—Mr. +Eugene André and Mr. Ellis Grell—we had letters to +the men in charge of the pitch lake at Guanoco and it was to +this great lake that the tiny settlement of Guanoco owed its +being.</p> + +<p>As soon as we reached the wharf, a young Venezuelan<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_87"></a>[87]</span> +came on board, introducing himself as Señor Bernardo +Lugo y Escobar,—one of the officials of the Pitch Lake +Company, and explaining that Mr. Grell had written him +that we might possibly come to Guanoco and that we were +to be entertained at the headquarters for as long as we chose +to stay. Mr. Lugo was most urgent in his hospitality and I +knew well of what the sloop dinner would consist. Maestro +and I would hold a perfectly futile consultation in which we +would decide upon the only possible menu—<i>funche</i> (which is +the Venezuelan name for cornmeal mush), dried pea soup and +cocoa. I must explain that the lack of variety in our larder +was due to the fact that we had expected to be able to supplement +our canned goods with fresh fish and game, both of +which proved difficult to obtain, the latter because of the +impossibility in this vast swamp of ever finding the game +after it was shot. The experience taught us the useful +lesson which every camper and explorer learns sooner or later, +sometimes alas! <i>too</i> late—never to depend upon the game of +the country, but always to plan your provisions as if game did +not exist. Then when one gets it, it comes as an unexpected +luxury.</p> + +<p>But to return to my visions of a good dinner in the preparation +of which I had no part or responsibility. Perhaps there +would also be the luxury of a real bath. I was roused from +these attractive reflections by the voice of the Captain politely +refusing Mr. Lugo’s invitation for the night, and saying that +we would not go ashore until the next day. Whereupon +I diplomatically remarked in English,—that Mr. Lugo +might not understand,—that I thought Mr. Lugo’s feelings +would be hurt if we refused, and as long as we were to go the +next day and there was nothing to be gained by spending +the night on the sloop, why not gratify him by going at once.</p> + +<p>And so it came about that in a few minutes more we were at +“Headquarters.” As the house was quite invisible from the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_88"></a>[88]</span> +water, we had imagined that we were to go to one of the +thatched huts which we had seen from the river.</p> + +<p>To our surprise, around the base of the hill we found +ourselves going up a pretty palm bordered walk which led to +a low, massive, fort-like building.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure047" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure047.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 47. Pitch Lake, showing freshly dug pit filled with water; +an older pit filled with soft pitch, both surrounded by the +hard surface pitch.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In the broad open hall were comfortable rocking chairs, +in striking contrast to the sloop on which we had taken turns +sitting on the one stool which the little craft possessed. In +the <i>patio</i> was a table laid for dinner—with a big black +Trinidad negro bringing in steaming dishes.</p> + +<p>There is no hospitality anywhere quite equal to that of the +wilderness. Your host does not arrange your visit from the +Saturday to the Monday, fitting you in between a multitude<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_89"></a>[89]</span> +of other engagements. A wilderness welcome is as genial and +inevitable as the tropical sunshine. Your visit is an event—a +mile-stone in the long road of lonely months of exile—months +which sometimes lengthen into years. Our very +interesting friend Mr. Eugene André of Trinidad told us +that on one of his many orchid-hunting expeditions he had +chanced to land at a certain God-forsaken little port on the +west coast of Colombia. Mr. André had wondered why +the fare to this port from Panama should be $30—while the +return passage was $100. The problem was solved after he +had seen the port—desolate, barren, inaccessible and fever +and insect ridden—one might be induced to pay $30 to get +there provided one knew not what manner of place it was. +But to get away—one would pay any sum and gladly. So +it is that the little coastwise steamboat company calmly +demands $100 to return the unfortunate traveller to Panama—and +<i>gets</i> it.</p> + +<p>At this forlorn spot there were stationed two young men, I +forget now in what capacity, who for many months had not +seen an intelligent human being. Into the empty monotony +of their lives, Mr. André appeared. It mattered not to those +lonely young men who he was, nor where he came from. +His welcome was—“Stay with us. Stay a year—or ten +years. We know all about each other. We’ve talked about +everything until there is nothing left to say—we even know +how much sugar we each like in our tea and who our great +grandmothers were, and who we think wrote Shakespeare’s +plays;—and we are so bored and so glad to see a new face.”</p> + +<p>Thus it is that everywhere in the South American wilderness +the English-speaking stranger is made welcome by +his kind, and we found Guanoco no exception to this rule.</p> + +<p>The pretty Spanish greeting is—“The house is yours” +and during our stay at the Pitch Lake, the headquarters became +really ours. We were given the best room; the servants<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_90"></a>[90]</span> +were put at our disposal: and best of all we were perfectly +free to come and go as we pleased; and with everything done +to facilitate our work. All this we owed also to the instructions +of Mr. Ellis Grell, who was then financing the Pitch +Lake Company and to the kindness of Mr. Lynch and Mr. +Stoute, two young West Indians employed by the company.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure048" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure048.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 48. Digging out the Black, Waxlike Pitch.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We were tired that first night at Guanoco. The night +before had been a hard one—sailing all night long, with +the boom swinging back and forth and making impossible +the hanging of our mosquito nets. All through the night the +Captain and his crew worked. Down the narrow river the +Captain skilfully guided the sloop in the darkness of a moonless +night, following the line of the trees against the sky to +mark the channel. His commanding old voice rang from +stern to bow, the orders being there repeated by the mate +to the sailors who were towing us, and who paused in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_91"></a>[91]</span> +wild melody which they chanted through that wonderful night, +to listen and obey. It was a difficult and dangerous task—the +guiding of that sloop down so narrow and winding a river: +and even the unruly crew were obedient that night, rendering +the homage which in time of danger the ignorant unconsciously +yield to a superior intelligence.</p> + +<p>When we wondered at the Captain’s confidence, he replied +in his deep voice, “Ah yes!—but I am old here and I know +these caños as I do my house.” And indeed here the curtain +had risen upon his life and here it was likely to fall at the +end of the last act.</p> + +<p>When finally quite exhausted we had laid down upon the +deck to sleep, it was to fall into so profound a slumber that +the mosquitoes devoured us unmolested, in spite of our head +nets which proved insufficient protection.</p> + +<p>So it was that on that first night at Guanoco we were very +tired. I sat lazily rocking in the cool evening breeze, +anointing my irritating bites with Tango, a preparation +dependent upon faith cure for its healing properties—and +listening to the desultory talk of the young men. The conversation +was desultory, however, only so long as the Venezuelan +element of the household was present. On this occasion +that element was represented by the young Mr. Lugo who +had met us at the wharf. After he had gone out on some +errand the story of Pitch Lake was poured into our interested +ears. It was a story of intrigue and revolution and +treason quite worthy of some mediæval court. First there +was the passive Venezuelan possession; then the active, enterprising, +money-making reign of the North American; having +as its natural result the jealousy of Castro, his oppression +and injustice to the American Company; their rebellion, +in which they aided a great revolution against Castro; his +revenge being to seize the property and put it in charge of +Venezuelans. Then came the departure of the American<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_92"></a>[92]</span> +Company, which had done so much to develop the Pitch +Lake, followed by the arrival of the Venezuelans appointed +by the Government—men who knew just about as much +about managing a great Pitch Lake as they did about guiding +an aëroplane. We were told of the time long before the +advent of the Lugo family—when for weeks it was necessary +to live always on the alert, with revolver ever ready for defence; +when the very men with whom one sat down at table were +capable of attempting to poison the food, in order to free +themselves of English-speaking men, who might perhaps +witness some ugly deed of treachery or defalcation.</p> + +<p>This is the very long story in a nutshell. We began then to +understand why the house was so fort-like in structure. It +had been built to withstand assault. Only a few months +before our visit it had been attacked by a party of Revolutionists +who hoped to find money in the company safe; and +five men had been killed and several injured.</p> + +<p>This thrilling tale was told in the emotionless matter-of-fact +way in which one might describe the moves in a game +of chess.</p> + +<p>From the moment our sloop sailed out of the harbor of +Port of Spain the memory of the old familiar every-day world +had seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer. Was it possible +that there really was such a place as New York City, with +its clanging street-cars, its trains and subways and elevated +roads thronged with people, <i>en masse</i> all as much alike as an +army of ants? At that very hour the New York Theatres +were pouring their gay crowds into the brilliantly lighted +streets. How far away it all seemed, down there in the great +primeval forest of another continent! We walked out under +the stars to the edge of the forest, black and mysterious, +teeming with the hidden life, which we were so eager to +study. Our world, for the present, was this forest wilderness, +stretching unbroken for mile upon mile, with only the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_93"></a>[93]</span> +twinkling lights of Guanoco to remind us of human habitations. +I dreamed that night of being stabbed in the back by +a howling monkey, while the safe of the Pitch Lake Company +was broken into by a band of shrieking Macaws!</p> + +<p>On the morning after our arrival at Guanoco we sorrowfully +said good-by to the “Josefa Jacinta.” As we watched her +sail away we consoled ourselves by planning another and a +longer trip on her—a trip which never took place. Looking +back after almost two years I realize that life can bring me +few experiences more full of interest and charm than those +days on a little Venezuelan sloop exploring the mysterious +untrodden mangroves! “How <i>could</i> you enjoy it?” I am +often asked: but the trifling discomforts were all in the day’s +work and more than compensated by the beauty and freedom +and wonder of it all. They served to make us know +that it was not all a dream.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure049" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure049.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 49. Loading Pitch on the Hand Cars.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Our days at Guanoco began early and were full to overflowing +of interest and of work. In the heat of midday we +pressed flowers, skinned birds and wrote up our journals,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_94"></a>[94]</span> +but in spite of being so busy, we found time to get a little +into the atmosphere of the human life.</p> + +<p>Here is the daily program at the lake of pitch,—this little +outpost of humanity, deep hidden in the tropical jungle. At +daybreak the group of sheds and thatched huts gives up a +horde of Trinidadian negroes; great black fellows, giants in +strength, children in mind. Amid a perfect medley of +excitement and uproar, breakfast is prepared. We hear +sounds which <i>must</i> mean at least the violent death of several, +and as one listens to the shrieks and groans, the imagination +easily supplies the terrible blows and struggles. But +a closer look only shows one of these great children down on +his knees, calling on everything which occurs to him or +enters his vision to witness that he did <i>not</i> steal the sixpence +from <i>Napoleon</i>, of which some one has accused him, perhaps +in jest.</p> + +<p>Yet all this is calmness compared to the later rush for the +best cars to use in the day’s work. It would delight a Sophomore’s +heart to see the mêlée. But somehow all is straightened +out and off go the hand trucks, crawling along the +rickety rails out over the lake, like beads sliding along a string. +Here a car has reached the end of the line. The negro +selects a place fairly clear of vegetation, takes his broad adze, +and shears away the upper few inches of roots and mould. +Then with deep swift strokes he outlines a big chunk of the +shiny black gum, cuts it loose, and carries it on his head to +his car. So malleable is the pitch that by the time he has half +filled the little iron truck the pitch has settled down and +filled all interstices. He trundles back the car and dumps it +into one of the larger wooden trucks which will take it to +Guanoco. He now receives a check which is redeemable +for fifteen cents and the first link in the commercialization +of the pitch is finished. Along the wavering line of temporary +rails over which the hand-cars are pushed back and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_95"></a>[95]</span> +forth, are dozens of grave-like holes. Those nearer the railroad +end are smooth-edged and filled with soft pitch on which +as yet no vegetation has taken root. Farther along they are +filled with water, and still farther we find them in the process +of being excavated.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure050" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure050.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 50. Mangrove Wilderness from the High Land at Guanoco.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The men dig down until they have reached a depth of five +or six feet, and then start in a new place. The hole is filled +by the first rain; water-bugs fly to the little pool, frogs +lay their eggs in it, queer fish wriggle their way to it and +for a brief space it supports a considerable aquatic life. +Then new soft pitch begins to ooze up and in a few more +weeks the plug of viscid black gum has reached the level of +the ground and the scar is soon healed over by a thin growth +of grass.</p> + +<p>In the rainy season the holes fill at once with water, +and indeed the whole plain is immersed to the depth of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a>[96]</span> +a foot or more; then the men have to work up to their +waists in water, chopping beneath the surface, prying the +pieces loose with their toes and tearing the chunks off by +taking long breaths and reaching far down for a few seconds +at a time.</p> + +<p>When we cross our asphalt streets and smell the tarry odor +and feel its softness under a mid-summer’s sun, let us think +of the strange lake in the tropical wilderness.</p> + +<p>The table talk at “Headquarters,” was often most amusing. +Torrents of Spanish eloquence and gesticulations kept +our English ears ever on the alert to follow the meaning, +and our sense of humor ever under strict control to preserve +well-bred gravity when such statements were made as +“Venezuela leads not only all the South American countries, +but all those of North America as well, in literature, +art, science and commerce. When our General Blank +went to New York the greatest ovation ever paid any +general in the world was given him. New York remained +amazed!”</p> + +<p>Once only did I look amused and I have never quite +recovered from my mortification at thus disgracing myself. +Whatever the faults of the Spaniard may be, he never smiles +when he is not intended to; not even at the laughable mistakes +which we foreigners make when we are learning his +beautiful language. I try to say in extenuation of my +unseemly mirth that the Spaniard has no sense of humor +and that we should very much prefer having him laugh at +our mistakes and letting us correct them. But all to no purpose. +I know that I did not behave like a well conducted +<i>Venezolana</i>, and nothing can alter that fact.</p> + +<p>The three Venezuelans had been put in charge of the +Pitch Lake,—because their “Sister’s husband’s niece” +had power in the court of Castro. Among their regular +duties they included singing airs from the operas, reading +Don Quixote and the Caracas newspapers and playing +dominos.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_97"></a>[97]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="figure051" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure051.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 51. Inhabitants of Guanoco assembled for a Dance.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_98"></a>[98]</span></p> + +<p>They had provided themselves with elaborate costumes for +the rôle; they carried big revolvers and wore huge green and +white cork helmets, khaki riding clothes, puttees, spurs, and +carried riding whips. There was not a horse within fifty +miles! No horse, even had there been one, could penetrate +the tiny forest trails about Guanoco.</p> + +<p>In the dancing sunlight and shadows and the orchid-fragrant +air it was hard to picture spilt blood and intrigue and +treachery, and harder still to prophesy the sad times that were +to come upon Guanoco. Yet while we were there the air +teemed with revolutionary rumors. The <i>Jefe civil</i>, as the +chief magistrate was called, was off day after day investigating +first one suspicion and then another, returning utterly +spent with the exhaustion of unresting days and nights upon +the trail. Revolutionists had attempted to land guns on the +near-by coast. There had been a skirmish and several men +had been killed.</p> + +<p>All the available guns and ammunition were gotten together +and every night the doors were barred securely; for what the +revolutionists chiefly needed was money, and should there be +an uprising in northeastern Venezuela, the Pitch Lake headquarters +would be the first point of attack. It was in charge +of Castro sympathizers, there might be large sums of money +in the Company’s safe and it was practically unprotected.</p> + +<p>In the meantime diplomatic relations between our United +States and Venezuela had been severed and one morning a +United States battleship was discovered lying quietly in the +harbor of La Guayra. The numbers of <i>la Constitucional</i>—a +month old when they reached us—were beginning to talk +of war and to boast of the ease with which Venezuela would +erase the United States of America from the face of the +globe. Bitter things were said about the sister republic in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_99"></a>[99]</span> +the north. And there we were living on the bone of contention +itself.</p> + +<p>It was about this time that I began to see the advisability of +being more than ordinarily civil; and so it happened that I +was led into playing cards for the first and only time for +money and that on a Sunday! We had been working almost +incessantly and I had begun to feel that, even if it was to +Mr. Grell that we were indebted for the hospitality, it was +not quite nice for us to appear only at “feeding time,” particularly +as our long days out of doors gave us such appalling +appetites. So on this occasion when I was asked to make a +fourth at cards, I saw no way out of it. Moreover, the battleship +lay in the harbor of La Guayra, and my countrymen +were in sad disfavor in Venezuela. W—— had ignominiously +deserted and gone to bed, so there was only one sleepy little +woman left to uphold the honor of a great nation!</p> + +<p>The game was “<i>Siete y media</i>,”—“seven and a half.” I +forget the rules now. I only remember that they seemed very +intricate as explained to me in Spanish. Fortunately for me, +the stakes were low, for I steadily lost all the time. “<i>Grano +por grano la gallina come</i>,” quoted Mr. Lugo,—“grain by +grain the hen eats.”</p> + +<p>Later he remarked how he hated to win from the señorita—but +the señorita observed that he hated it much as the famous +walrus wept for the oysters while—</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">“... he sorted out</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Those of the largest size,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Holding his pocket-handkerchief</div> + <div class="verse indent2">Before his streaming eyes.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>I was wofully tired and sleepy. I did not at all know the +etiquette of gambling! And I thought the loser must not be a +“quitter”—even if the extent of her losses was only “<i>dos +reales</i>,” or twenty-five cents. So I played on until at midnight +the game was declared over.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_100"></a>[100]</span></p> + +<p>It is well that virtue is its own reward, as it has no other, +for I was told the next morning by a husband who had had +a perfectly good night’s sleep—that I was a very foolish +person indeed to sit up playing cards with those men, and +that the loser could always stop: it was the winner who must +not propose it.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure052" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure052.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 52. A Palm-sheath Rocking Toy.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The negroes from the Pitch Lake always came down on +Saturday nights and serenaded us with wild Creole airs, and +at the sound of the quaterns and violins huge hairy tarantulas +would come forth from their hiding-places in our rooms and +creep briskly here and there over walls and floor. We were +greatly interested in this effect of the vibrations of sound, but +we never bothered the great creatures in their strange “tarentelles,”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_101"></a>[101]</span> +and they paid no attention to us. The venomous +effect of the bites of all these eight or hundred-legged beings +is greatly exaggerated, and there is absolutely no serious danger +to a healthy person with good red blood in his veins; in +some of the half-starved, rum-drinking natives the scratch of +a pin would induce blood-poisoning.</p> + +<p>Labor was easily secured in Guanoco. The morning after +our arrival we expressed a wish to employ a boy to act as +attendant, carrying camera, gun, butterfly net, etc., when we +went on our long tramps. One of the young men at headquarters +went to the door and called “<i>muchacho</i>,” and at +once a small boy appeared. I should have judged his age +to be between eleven and twelve; but he himself did not +know. He said his grandmother was “keeping his age.” A +charming idea is that Venezuelan custom of having some +responsible member of the family keep all the ages. Think +of being able to say truthfully that you really do not know how +old you are! But then a Venezuelan woman never confesses +to more than twenty-seven, no matter what may have been the +flight of time.</p> + +<p>Our small servant’s name proved to be Maximiliano Romero, +and with supreme self possession, boldly spitting to the +right and left, he professed himself willing to enter our service. +Like a true Venezuelan he used expectoration to punctuate all +his remarks. What a quaint little figure he was, topped by +a huge straw hat with a high peaked crown; the hat the work +of the little brown hands of Max himself, for he was a hat-maker +by profession. His face was alert but very grave. +He rarely smiled, but when he did it was in no half-hearted +way, but with an abandon of childish glee. I found myself +devoting a good deal of valuable time to trying to bring into +being that charming smile of Maximiliano’s. One never +knew just what would touch the right chord. Once he went +off into gales of merriment at the escape of a lizard which we<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_102"></a>[102]</span> +were trying to photograph. He always saw the funny side +of our mishaps.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure053" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure053.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 53. Sheath in + <a href="#figure052">Fig. 52</a>, covering the Flower of a Palm.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Max showed plainly in what esteem he held naturalists. +The first day he went out with us he was neatly dressed in +dark blue jeans. When he appeared on the second morning +we did not recognize him. A small ragamuffin stood before +us, stamping like a pony to drive away the flies, which hovered +about his ankles. His clothes were a mass of rags—it was +impossible to say what had been the original color or material. +Max had taken our measure and decided that people +who tramped through the “bush” as we did were not worthy +of anything better than rags.</p> + +<p>Sometimes in the jungle we would meet Indian women +who, living far in the interior, were on their way to Guanoco +to buy machetes, fish-hooks and other articles of civilization.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a>[103]</span> +They would always stop and make friends with us, with child-like +curiosity asking where we came from, and why we +wanted birds and lizards and butterflies, and murmuring the +words dear to every woman’s heart in all lands, “<i>Que jovencita!</i>” +which literally translated is “What a young little +thing!” Very simple-hearted are these poor Indian women +and so hard are their lives that at a very early age do they +cease to be <i>jovencita</i>.</p> + +<p>We would often meet the wandering tribes of Guarauno +Indians, who live nearly always upon the march, carrying +all their worldly possessions upon their backs and sleeping +wherever night happens to find them. They very rarely +knew even a word of Spanish and shunned any intercourse +with strangers, scorning the inventions of civilization and +using the poisoned arrows of their ancestors.</p> + +<p>One Sunday morning one of the laborers at the near-by +Pitch Lake, bearing the pious name of José de Jesus Zamoro, +came into headquarters to invite us to a dance that afternoon +at his house. The house of Zamoro had nothing particularly +to recommend it as a ballroom; for the floor was of dirt, the +ceiling low and the walls windowless. But it was crowded; +the air stifling and the dancers dripping with perspiration. +The music was wild and strange, the man who shook the +<i>maracas</i>—an instrument consisting of two gourds filled with +dried seeds which is shaken in time to the music—often +breaking into a weird song, making up the words as he went +along, with some joke about each dancer. As the songster’s +zeal waxed high he described himself as being so great that +“where he stood the earth trembled.”</p> + +<p>Between dances the ladies’ last partners were supposed to +take them into the next room where drinks were for sale. +This was the explanation of Zamoro’s zeal for dances: music +and dance hall were free, but a substantial profit came from +the drinks.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_104"></a>[104]</span></p> + +<p>The ball gowns had but one beauty—that of originality. +There was always an unfortunate hiatus between bodices +and skirts, which was partly concealed by the long straight +black hair which hung down the backs of the women. The +shoes were in a piteous condition, never the right size, very +seldom mates and not infrequently both were for the same +foot. But all the skirts had trains and all ears bore ear-rings. +We were told that these women often danced all day and all +night, until they became perfectly dazed, their feet moving +mechanically in time to the music of the national dance—the +<i>joropa</i>, which is a cross between a clog dance and a waltz.</p> + +<p>We saw dancing the women whose <i>curiara</i> had so narrowly +escaped a fatal collision with our sloop in the Guarapiche. +The Captain had said they were leaving Maturin “to operate +some speculation in Guanoco—perhaps even to find husbands.” +And here among so many men, for the population +of Guanoco was chiefly composed of men employed at the +lake, surely there was hope, even for adventuresses so black +and uncouth as these. Here also we met one of Guanoco’s +most amusing characters, a big black Trinidad negro. He +was full of the superiority of one who had seen the world; +for he had once been to England as stateroom steward on one +of the big steamers. He now dropped his h’s, called his wife +“Lady Mackáy” and on Sundays wore a monocle.</p> + +<p>It was twilight as we walked home through the little settlement. +At one of the huts two little naked babies were playing +“rock-a-by” in the great curved sheaths which protect the +blossom of the moriche, or eta palm. At another a child +came out and sang a little Spanish song for us—all about +her sins and the confession she must make to the priest, the +refrain being “<i>Mi penetencia! mi penetencia!</i>” and she sang +it with her small hands clasped and her head devoutly bowed. +A few coins made the wee penitent superlatively happy. Her +mother must have taught her the song, for in Guanoco there +was no priest, no school, no doctor. The two young West +Indians at headquarters (neither much more than twenty +years old) officiated at all funerals, being Catholic or Protestant, +in Spanish or English, as the case demanded. They +prescribed for all diseases, from the prevalent fever to the +woman who was suffering greatly but could give no more +definite description of her trouble than that she had a “pain +that walked.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_105"></a>[105]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure054" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure054.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 54. Priestless Chapel at Guanoco.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_106"></a>[106]</span></p> + +<p>I could never understand the fever so common at Guanoco: +for I never knew a place more free from mosquitoes and from +insects of every description. We were continually in the sun +and often in the rain, yet we both kept in perfect health.</p> + +<p>The women of the village had converted a small open shed +into a chapel, with an altar, on which were all the offerings +they could make, a few candles, some bits of gilt paper and +tinsel, a rude wooden cross and a wretched little chromo of +the Virgin. Here, as we passed, we saw the women kneeling, +for where else could they take their troubles!</p> + +<p>At last our Venezuelan experiences were a thing of the past, +and we were homeward bound, leaving behind us the dear +delightful never-know-what’s-going-to-happen life; and realizing, +as our ship cut her way through the countless “knots” +of dashing waves, that as Maximiliano had said with a shake +of his head, when we laughingly asked him if he did not want +to go with us, “<i>esta tan léjos</i>”—it is so far!</p> + +<p class="tb">Much has happened at Guanoco since the days of our +visit.</p> + +<p>Very soon after our departure, Castro fearing the smouldering +revolutionary plots in Trinidad, ordered all the ports of +eastern Venezuela closed. Later came the deadly bubonic +plague sealing for many months all the ports of the unfortunate +country. Then indeed trouble descended upon poor +little Guanoco. It was an essentially non-agricultural part<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_107"></a>[107]</span> +of the country. The one industry had been the digging of +pitch, the company’s boat plying between Guanoco and Trinidad +having brought all necessary supplies. Now with all +communication cut off the people were in a piteous condition.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure055" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure055.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 55. Guarauno Indian Papoose.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In the revolution of the Wheel of Fate—which whirls so +rapidly in Venezuela,—the Lugo family had been deposed +and a new Venezuelan administrator appointed in their +place. Having known the Lugos, I like to think that they +would have been less heartless than their successor, who, so +the report goes, sold what supplies there were to the starving +people at cruelly exorbitant prices.</p> + +<p>No matter how much one may love Nature, one cannot +help feeling how unmoved she is in the face of suffering. +Human beings might starve and sicken and die at Guanoco, +but the sunshine would be just as warm and glowing and the +wind in the palm trees just as musical as ever.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_108"></a>[108]</span></p> + +<p>With the cutting off of communication between Venezuela +and Trinidad, Captain Truxillo’s occupation was gone. +The “Josefa Jacinta” no longer plied busily back and forth +between Port of Spain and Maturin, driving a brisk trade in +hammocks, groceries and hides; and so at last she passed +from the possession of Captain Truxillo to that of some more +prosperous trader who could afford to wait for the reopening +of commerce.</p> + +<p>For a year our old Captain watched his little vessel guided +out of the harbor of Port of Spain, with a strange hand at +the helm, and a strange voice in command. Then one day +she sailed away never to return—but to be run aground and +lost on a desolate and lonely part of the Venezuelan coast.</p> + +<p>What became of her new Captain and crew we never heard. +We knew only that the “Josefa Jacinta” was lost, and that +we could never sail her again, except on dream caños in a +phantom wilderness.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_109"></a>[109]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="PART_II"><span class="smaller">PART II</span><br> +OUR SECOND SEARCH<br> +BRITISH GUIANA</h2> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_110"></a>[110]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure056" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure056.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 56. Map of our + Three Expeditions into British Guiana.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_111"></a>[111]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.<br> +<span class="smaller">GEORGETOWN.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>Another year has slipped past and again we are +southward bound, toward that Mecca—the tropics—which +never ceases to call us. The time is the fifteenth of +February, 1909; the place, the Royal Dutch Mail Steamship +“Coppename.”</p> + +<p>Nine days out from New York at three o’clock in the +morning we are roused suddenly from sleep by a gentle +roaring in our ears. When we have gained partial consciousness +we realize it is the basso-profundo whisper of good Captain +Haasnoot summoning us to the bridge. We ask no +questions for we have learned that the voice of the genial +Dutchman means something worth while, whether it is +raised in a thunderous roar of “<i>Hofmeister!</i>” or as now in +gentler accents. Wrapped in flapping blankets, we climb +the steep ladder to the bridge, there to enjoy for half an hour +a most wonderful display of phosphorescence—even excelling +that often visible in the Bay of Fundy. The Captain in all +his world-wide sea-faring has never seen anything to equal it.</p> + +<p>We are only a short distance off the shore of British +Guiana and the ocean is thick with sediment from the rivers. +The sky is overcast and no light comes from the moon and +stars, and yet the whole sea is plainly visible. The horizon +glows with a dull, yellow flare against the jet black sky, and +the myriad foam-caps shimmer as with brighter flames. +The quenching of these in the opaque water gives a vivid +impression of an enormous conflagration half hidden behind +billows of smoke.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_112"></a>[112]</span></p> + +<p>At day-break Georgetown is in sight—a low, flat line of +wharfs, with a background of galvanized tin roofs and tall +bending palm trees. Never was a fairyland set in so prosaic +a frame!</p> + +<p>With what mingled feelings our little ship’s family lean on +the rail and scan the shore! To some the thought comes of +the miracles of yellow gold and precious stones hidden deep +beneath the primitive forests; to other sea-weary travellers +the stability of the shore appeals most; while we two watch +for the first hint of bird life. Our desire is gratified before +that of any of the others, for over the water there comes the +first morning call of the great yellow Tyrant<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span>—<i>Kis-ka-dee!</i> +bringing a hundred memories of the tropics.</p> + +<p>As we steam slowly up to the wharf a small flock of Gray-breasted +Martins<span class="bird"><a href="#bird122">122</a></span> twitters above our heads, a Black Vulture<span class="bird"><a href="#bird51">51</a></span> +swings over the tin roofs, the jubilant song of a Guiana +House Wren<span class="bird"><a href="#bird124">124</a></span> reaches our ear, and our Second Search has +begun.</p> + +<p>To those who seek for wildernesses there is not much of +interest in Georgetown, save the museum and the botanical +garden. Yet there is no doubt that the city is one of the +most attractive in the tropics, and when the inhabitants are +aroused to a sense of the opportunities which they are throwing +away, it will become a famous tourist resort; awakening +the country to new life and bringing shekels to the coffers +of its merchants. Hotels and mosquitoes are the two keys +to the situation—the one to be acquired, the other banished. +When this is done, the many popular winter resorts will +be hard put to it to retain their lucrative migrants from +the North. The inhabitants of Georgetown have one +regrettable failing—an unreasoning fear and dread of +their own country. They cling to their narrow strip of +coastal territory, where they work and play, live and die, +many of them without ever having been five miles away<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_113"></a>[113]</span> +from the sea. The majority of the inhabitants of French +Guiana are convicts, chained for life to their prisons; here +the good people of British Guiana bind themselves with +imaginary bonds and picture their wonderful land as teeming +with serpents and heaven-knows-what other terrors.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure057" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure057.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 57. Street in Georgetown.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Another unfortunate failing is the firm conviction of some of +the influential citizens that there is no truth in the mosquito +theory as a cause of malaria and yellow fever.</p> + +<p>A distinguished English scientist, recently sent to investigate +yellow fever in Barbados and British Guiana, was +holding up as an example to the citizens of Georgetown the +Barbadian custom of keeping fishes in their water cisterns; +explaining that the fishes devoured the mosquito larvæ and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_114"></a>[114]</span> +thus kept down the number of mosquitoes. A Barbadian +who chanced to be in the audience interrupted the scientist +by saying, “Oh, but that is not the reason they put fishes +in the cisterns. It is to make sure the water has not been +poisoned by some enemy”!</p> + +<p>Until the mosquito is exterminated in Georgetown the +tourist will prefer to go elsewhere, even though that be to a +less beautiful spot.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure058" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure058.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 58. Kiskadee Tyrant Flycatcher.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We were advised to spend all our time in Georgetown, where +we might drink pink swizzles (than which no worse medicine +exists!) or read in the cool library, or study the natural history +of the country impaled on pins or stuffed with cotton (both +of which are improving occupations but can be done quite +as well in New York). Every moment spent in streets of +human making seemed sacrilege when the real wilderness—the +wilderness of Waterton, of Schomburgk and of im Thurn—beckoned +to us just beyond.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_115"></a>[115]</span></p> + +<p>Armed with proper letters of introduction and travelling +in the name of science, one is treated with all courtesy by +Guiana officials. The customs give no trouble, save that +one pays a deposit of twelve per cent on cameras, guns and +cartridges.</p> + +<p>We were glad to find that the most difficult privilege to +obtain is a permit to collect birds, and the very stringent +laws in this respect are an honor to the Governor and his +colonial officials.<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> Thanks to the absence of the plume and +general millinery hunter, the game hog and the wholesale +collector, birds are abundant and tame. We were in the +colony just two months and shot only about one hundred +specimens, all of which were secured because of some special<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_116"></a>[116]</span> +interest. We brought home some two hundred and eighty +live birds which are now housed in the New York Zoölogical +Park.</p> + +<p>Once off the single wharf-lined, business street of Georgetown, +one is instantly struck by the beauty of the place. +Green trees, flowering vines and shrubs are everywhere, half +hiding the ugly, tropical architecture. The streets are all +wide, some with gravel walks down the centre, shaded with +the graceful saman trees; others with central trenches filled +with the beautiful <i>Victoria regia</i>—here a native.</p> + +<p>Two species of big Tyrant Flycatchers <span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span> are the English +Sparrows of the city and White-breasted Robins,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird128">128</a></span> +Palm <span class="bird"><a href="#bird144">144</a></span> and Silver-beak<span class="bird"><a href="#bird146">146</a></span> Tanagers perch on the limbs of +trees at one’s very window.</p> + +<p>Although we are anxious to start on our first expedition +into the “bush,” as the primeval forests of the interior +are called, yet a week passes very pleasantly in the city +itself.</p> + +<p>The street life is a passing pageant, full of interest and of +the charm of novelty for the Northerner. Carriages roll +past in which sit very correctly dressed and typical English +women; still others are filled with creoles, some to all appearances +perfectly white, others in which the infusion of negro +blood is very apparent. Many of the creole women have a +certain languid beauty and a good deal of grace and self-possession. +The passing of the liveried carriage of the +Governor causes a ripple of excitement. It is five o’clock, +the fashionable hour for driving, and all these equipages +are bound for the sea-wall, where the occupants sit and +listen to an excellent band, enjoy the sea breeze and chat with +their neighbors about the all-important happenings of the +social set of Georgetown; while the pale-faced children dig +in the sand or run shrieking with glee from an incoming +wave, just as do their rosy contemporaries of the North.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_117"></a>[117]</span></p> + +<p>Another picture is the coolie in his loose, white garments +and turban and his sinewy, bare, brown legs. He gazes at +you as calmly and as unmoved as though you were not. +Even the lowest coolie bears about him this unconscious dignity +of an ancient race and a civilization that was old when +we were but beginning.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp94" id="figure059" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure059.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 59. Coolie Woman and Negress.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The coolie women make a vivid spot of color in our +pageant—like some glowing tropical flower. Many of them +are beautiful in feature and all are graceful in bearing. +There never were women who so perfectly understood the +art of walking. They swing along erect and lithe with a +springing step and perfect coördination of every muscle. +Their heavy bracelets and anklets tinkle musically as they +move; their gay red and yellow and blue scarfs flutter in the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_118"></a>[118]</span> +breeze. The poise of their bodies reflects the perfect calm +and repose of their smooth, brown faces.</p> + +<p>What an antithesis they are to the ponderous old black +women who are striding along, with bedraggled skirts gathered +up in a roll around their massive waists. They are +untidy and slatternly in dress, heavy and awkward in movement +in comparison with the straight, slim, coolie women. +They are full of loud laughter and talk and song. At every +street corner they gather in friendly, jovial groups, while the +coolie women are strangely silent and reserved. No wonder +that these two races so hate and scorn one another, for in +temperament they are as far apart as the poles!</p> + +<p>The British Guiana blacks were to us an unending source +of interest and amusement. They were always courteous +and kindly and most original. Even when swearing at each +other their manner was always polite and each anathema +ended with a civil “Suh!” Their dialect was at first very +difficult to understand, but when our ears became familiar +with it we found it singularly attractive. All the a’s are +broad, even in such words as bad and man; while the intonation +is indescribable, the verbs in a sentence being always +emphasized and given a slight rising inflection, as for example, +“I have <i>been</i> to Berbice.” An interrogation is often +not at all indicated by the form of a question, but merely by +the rising inflection, as—“These are nice?” The general +effect of their speech is a very musical and distinctive intonation.</p> + +<p>Always the irrepressible spirit of the black rises serenely +above all the vicissitudes of life. A black woman from +Arakaka was sentenced to a month in jail. Upon her return +she was welcomed by a crowd of friends, all eager to hear +something of that mysterious jail, to which none of them +were sure they might not some day go. To their questions +“How was it? how was it?” the heroine of the occasion<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_119"></a>[119]</span> +replied with great dignity, “Me chile, dey see I was a lady +an’ dey didn’ give me de same work as de other prisoners.” +Later, on a trip down the river, the same woman, meeting +the magistrate who had sentenced her, proudly remarked, +“<i>Now</i> I travel by meself”; her only previous experience in +travelling having been under the escort of the police!</p> + +<p>Many of the blacks have far advanced cases of elephantiasis. +In a five minutes’ walk one will see a half dozen +examples of this deadly disease; but it takes more than elephantiasis +or jail to sadden the volatile spirits of the negro!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure060" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure060.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 60. The Georgetown Sea-wall.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Cosmopolitan as is the street pageant of Georgetown, it is, +however, not so much so as that of Port of Spain. The coolies +are even more numerous there than here, and in addition to +the same sort of English and negro life, there is also an +American, Spanish and French element. One hears on all +sides the pretty French patois, and the musical Spanish of the +South American is a constant delight. This large Spanish +and French population make Port of Spain a decidedly +Catholic city, and priests and nuns in unfamiliar garbs are +always a part of the picture.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_120"></a>[120]</span></p> + +<p>It is very hard for us Northerners to realize that the course +of a tropical day is much the same the year around. Here is +a Georgetown day as we found it in February. At 5.30 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> +it is still dark and the only sound is an occasional raucous +crow from chanticleer. Soon a subdued murmur of sound is +heard and this remains unchanged in volume for some time. +Then the sunrise gun booms in the distance; a Kiskadee +shrieks just outside our window; a score of others answer +him; church chimes ring out; noisy coolie carts rattle past; +negroes sing, dogs bark; an excellent brass band strikes up a +two-step and amid all this pandemonium of sound the sun +literally leaps above the horizon and instantly fills the world +with brilliant color. The scene changes like magic; there +is no dawn or dusk, night gives place to day without +intermission. The temperature morning and evening is +about 76°.</p> + +<p>Woven amid all the harsh cries of Kiskadees and Tanagers +is heard the sweet warbling of the little House Wrens, +reminding us of our singers of the North, and bubbling over +with the same crisp, vocal vitality which we hear in early +Spring in our own country.</p> + +<p>Like the morning, the tropical day itself is one of extremes. +The morning dawns fresh and bracing; until nine o’clock one +walks briskly, breathes deeply and can hardly realize that he +is at sea-level within seven degrees of the equator. It is April +and May in the calendar of one’s feelings. Then for an hour +or two June reigns, and finally from eleven to five o’clock in +the afternoon it is hot, sultry August. In the shade, however, +it is always comfortable. From three o’clock on we experience +the coolness of October and until darkness shuts suddenly +down about half-past six—like the snuffing out of +a candle—the temperature is perfect. The nights are delightfully +cool. Mosquitoes are bad only in the houses and +at night one’s net is a protection. The humidity is high but<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_121"></a>[121]</span> +it is far more bearable than that of a summer in New York +City, contrary to our usual idea of the tropics.</p> + +<p>The manner of rain in the tropics is peculiar: the atmosphere +may be ablaze with brilliant sunshine, when a slight +haze appears in the air and suddenly one realizes that a +fine gentle rain is falling. This may cease as imperceptibly +as it began, or increase to a terrific downpour—to give +place perhaps a few minutes later to the clear tropic glare +again.</p> + +<p>Before taking leave of Georgetown we must mention the +three chief points of attraction. The sea-wall comes first +and, as we have said, a most pleasant custom of the natives +is to drive there in late afternoon and sit in their carriages. +The concrete break-water is of vital importance to the town +itself as a portion of the streets are below sea-level. The +broad summit forms a mile or more of promenade, with a +sandy beach on one side, lapped with waves which strive ever +to break, but cannot because of the thick sediment which they +hold in suspense. On the other side a double row of tall, +graceful palms adds a touch of tropical beauty.</p> + +<p>The residences near the sea-wall are the coolest and most +pleasant in the town and are practically free from mosquitoes. +We spent more than one delightful evening in the garden at +Kitty Villa as the guests of our charming American friends, +Mr. and Mrs. Howell. From the open, veranda-like rooms +one may watch the Yellow Orioles,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird159">159</a></span> the Brown-breasted +Pygmy Grosbeaks,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird129">129</a></span> the Anis and Kiskadees going to roost. +Just before dusk scores of the small Black Vultures<span class="bird"><a href="#bird51">51</a></span> appear, +flying singly, or in twos and threes low over the trees and palms +westward to some general roost. About this time the bats +and the lightning bugs arrive, large numbers of very tiny bats +hawking about after insects, and several large fruit-eaters +with wings spreading almost two feet across. These haunt +the fruit-laden sapadillo trees, and as the method of feeding of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_122"></a>[122]</span> +these curious creatures does not seem to be generally known +we watch it with interest. One of the big fellows flits here +and there, nipping first one fruit and then another. At last +when a sweet or fully ripe one is found, the bat swoops up +to it, alights head downward, and half enveloping it with +his wings, bites away frantically for two or three seconds +and then dashes off. This is repeated until darkness +settles down, but never does the wary bat linger over his +feast.</p> + +<p>In the north the sight of a single bat darting along on its +eccentric way is not uncommon, but here we were soon to +become accustomed to the sight of scores, some pursuing +insects, or feeding on fruits, or waiting and watching for a +chance to drink the blood of men and animals. More than +twenty-five species have been found here within a few miles +of the coast. Small Owls and nocturnal insectivorous +birds are somewhat rare, and thus the bats have few foes +and little competition in their aërial life.</p> + +<p>Late in the evening as we drive slowly homeward from the +sea-wall we discover another interesting microcosm of the +tropics. The road is well lighted with arc-lamps—sources +of irresistible attraction to numberless insects, many of which +drop stunned to the earth beneath. Some genius among the +Georgetown toads has discovered this fact and passed the +word along, until now one finds a circle of expectant amphibians +squatted beneath each arc-light, with eyes and hopes +lifted to the shining globe overhead. Now and then an unfortunate +insect falls within the magic circle, when a toad leaps +lazily forward and devours the morsel with one lightning-like +flick of the tongue. Many of these toads (<i>Bufo agua</i>) are +enormous fellows, a good hatful, standing full eight inches +from their pudgy toes to their staring eyes, all comical, +dignified, fat and sluggish, barely hopping aside in time to +avoid the horse and carriage.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_123"></a>[123]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure061" style="max-width: 14.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure061.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 61.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>To a visiting naturalist the +museum is the place of greatest +interest, and although the animals +and birds are faded and +poorly mounted, yet they are +representative of the fauna of +the country and are hence of great +value in accustoming one’s eyes +to the strange forms of life. +The present Curator, Mr. James +Rodway, did everything in his +power to aid us, and we are indebted +to him for many kindnesses. +Although he is primarily +a botanist, entomology occupies his attention at present, +and the supply of species of the various orders of +insects living in this region seems well-nigh inexhaustible. +Mr. Rodway is a good example of the healthfulness of +British Guiana, for he has lived there thirty-nine years and +has been ill only one day. He accounts for this by his teetotalism, +but perhaps the next person we meet will inform us +that a half dozen swizzles a day are absolutely necessary to +keep the breath of life within the body!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure062" style="max-width: 15.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure062.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 62.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Botanical Gardens, under +the able direction of Prof. +J. B. Harrison, are a great +credit to the colony. With +beautiful vistas of palms and +ornamental shrubs they combine +smooth expanses of green +lawns—a rare feature in a +tropical landscape. Ponds and +ditches are filled with Victoria +regia and lotus, save one where +a number of manatees keep the aquatic vegetation cropped +close. A wonderful palm was in blossom at the time of +our visit—a Taliput with a mass of bloom twelve feet +in height which had begun to flower the month before. +Governor Hodgson and Prof. Harrison gave us the freedom +of the garden and placed at our disposal five circular +aviaries which proved of inestimable value in housing the +living birds which we were able to secure.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_124"></a>[124]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp91" id="figure063" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure063.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 63. Victoria Regia in the Botanical Gardens.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_125"></a>[125]</span></p> + +<p>Here Mr. Lee S. Crandall, our assistant, made his trapping +headquarters after our return from our first inland expedition +and here we spent many afternoons among the fields and bypaths.</p> + +<p>We soon found that bird-trapping in the tropics is a task +beset by many difficulties. The extreme heat between the +hours of ten and four o’clock make even the “tackiest” +lime nearly as thin as water, and hardly capable of holding +even the diminutive “doctor-bird” as the natives call the +Hummingbirds. The call-birds, which are confined in very +small cages, or cribs, cannot endure the high temperature +under these conditions, and soon succumb if left out in +the sun. Operations, therefore, must be confined to the +few hours immediately following sunrise, and preceding +sunset.</p> + +<p>Another feature, very trying to the bird-catcher, is the +habit which most of the birds have of going singly or in pairs. +A few of the Ictcrine birds, such as the Yellow-headed Blackbird,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird154">154</a></span> +Cowbird,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird153">153</a></span> Little Boat-tailed Grackle,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird160">160</a></span> and most +of the Cassiques, feed usually in flocks, sometimes of great +size. In the deep bush of the interior it is the habit of birds +of many species to search together for food, following a set +route, and keeping closely to their time schedule. But ordinary +call-birds and “set-ups” are not for these.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_126"></a>[126]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="figure064" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure064.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 64. Lotus in Blossom.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_127"></a>[127]</span></p> + +<p>This gregarious habit among widely varying birds is, +however, at times, a great aid to the trapper. A cage containing +a Yellow-bellied Calliste<span class="bird"><a href="#bird142">142</a></span> was one day placed in +a tree about twenty feet high, and limed twigs arranged +on neighboring branches. In two hours in the morning, +two specimens of the same species, three Blue Tanagers,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird143">143</a></span> +two Black-faced Callistes,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird141">141</a></span> two Toua-touas or Brown-breasted +Pygmy Grosbeaks,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird129">129</a></span> and one Yellow Oriole<span class="bird"><a href="#bird159">159</a></span> were +taken. The various species of Tanagers and Orioles are +much more gregarious in feeding habits than the Finches, +hence the variety caught. The Toua-touas were purely +accidental visitors. The Finches can rarely be taken by a +call-bird not of the same species.</p> + +<p>The black or coolie boy who makes his living at catching +birds at “tuppence” each, sets out at daylight with his two +or three call-birds in their cribs, arranged on a stick. Arrived +at some secluded spot, where he has heard the song of an +intended victim, he sets his call-birds on upright sticks of +two or three feet in length and places on the top of each +cage a strong wire, heavily smeared with the gum of the +sapadillo. This wire is very carefully twisted so that it cannot +by any possibility become loosened. This is, of course, +contrary to the ethics of all good bird-catchers, for if the bird +falls to the ground with its stick, it is much more certain to +be secured, and less liable to injure itself. However, this is +British Guiana.</p> + +<p>Having made his “set-up,” the youth steals softly back +and conceals himself a short distance away. As soon as +left to themselves, the birds, if they be experienced, commence +their song. Soon, an answering call is heard. Instantly +the decoys cease their song, and send forth their +sharp call-notes. Soon the curious stranger appears, perhaps +a fine adult male, full of eagerness for a battle. If this +be the case the songs are again resumed, and the climax of +the concert is almost certain to be the capture of the challenger. +If the visitor be a coy female, the seductive call-notes<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_128"></a>[128]</span> +are continued, and, though the time required may be greater, +she is nearly as certain to be captured. Callow youngsters +out for their first exploring trip, are of course the easiest +victims. But when the trapper has taken a bird or two +from this locality he must move on or give up for the day, +for he will take no more.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure065" style="max-width: 23.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure065.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 65. Taliput Palm in Blossom.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The trapping methods of these people are, of course,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a>[129]</span> +very primitive. They know nothing of clap-nets; they laugh +at the idea of catching birds with an Owl, as practised +successfully in the North. A black boy will bend his +gummed wire securely on a likely twig, and lie all day on +his back in the shade, hoping that a bird may light on it. +Birds to whose capture they are not equal are very apt to +be “licked”—stunned by a bullet from a sling-shot—and +foisted on the unwary purchaser. These unfortunates, of +course, rarely live more than a day or two.</p> + +<p>No regard is shown for nesting birds or nestlings. Cassiques +and Orioles are captured by adjusting a string about +the mouth of the long pendulous nest, and closing it tightly +when the bird has entered to hover its eggs. In two instances, +a black boy was seen to capture the female from her nest, by +creeping up and dropping his hat over her.</p> + +<p>Some use is made of primitive trap-cages, which are +baited with plantain or sliced mangoes. Tanagers or +“sackies” and various Orioles are taken in this manner.</p> + +<p>These simple people have, of course, no knowledge whatever +of proper food for insectivorous or frugivorous birds. +Various fruits, preferably plantain, are used, and it is truly +surprising how long some individuals will survive on this +too acid food. Mr. Howie King, Government Agent of the +Northwest District, actually kept a specimen of the Yellow +Oriole<span class="bird"><a href="#bird159">159</a></span> for over seven years on a strictly fruit diet!</p> + +<p>Birds and other creatures were very abundant and tame +in the Botanical Gardens. Guiana Green Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird38">38</a></span> or +“Shypooks” as the coolies call them, Spur-winged Jacanas<span class="bird"><a href="#bird23">23</a></span> +and Gallinules<span class="bird"><a href="#bird13">13</a></span> walked here and there, the latter leading +their dark-hued young over the Regia pads. Small crocodiles +basked half out of the water, none over three feet in +length, as abundant as turtles in a northern mill-pond. +Several huge water buffalo, imported from the East Indies, +looked strangely out of place in this hemisphere. Butterflies +were scarce although a great variety of flowers were in +profusion everywhere.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_130"></a>[130]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp50" id="figure066" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure066.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 66. Canal of the Crocodiles.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_131"></a>[131]</span></p> + +<p>April seems to be the height of the breeding season for +many birds. In one tree we found two wasps’ nests, and +nests with eggs or young of the following six species of birds; +the Red-winged Ground Dove,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird9">9</a></span> the Great<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span> and Lesser<span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span> +Kiskadees, White-shouldered Ground Fly-catcher or “Cotton-bird,”<span class="bird"><a href="#bird97">97</a></span> +Gray Tody-flycatcher or “Pipitoori”<span class="bird"><a href="#bird99">99</a></span> and Cinereus +Becard.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird114">114</a></span></p> + +<p>Chestnut Cuckoos of two species,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird77">77</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird78">78</a></span> all four Kiskadees,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird104">104</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird106">106</a></span> +Caracaras,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird53">53</a></span> Black-faced Tanagers or +“Bucktown Sackies,”<span class="bird"><a href="#bird141">141</a></span> Woodhewers, Elanias<span class="bird"><a href="#bird100">100</a></span> and other +Flycatchers are a few among many birds which we were +sure of seeing on every walk, while Anis, both great<span class="bird"><a href="#bird79">79</a></span> and +small<span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span> were everywhere.</p> + +<p>The Botanical Gardens are ideal for experimental botanical +work and sugar cane in scores of varieties is being kept under +observation. It is hard to believe that the delicate grass +which we see springing up in the ditched fields will grow +into the lofty and waving stalks of sugar cane. It is exceedingly +variable and should afford excellent material +for experimental study. The original yellow-stalked cane +develops red and purple streaks in many combinations, due +apparently to difference in soils. Cane sent to Louisiana will, +within twelve years, produce much larger nodes owing to the +plant having to fruit in six months instead of eleven or +twelve. The stalk, however, does not gain correspondingly +in diameter; so there is no increase in sugar capacity. Tropical +plants can in many cases adapt themselves to shorter, +northern summers, but temperate perennials soon die in the +tropics from exhaustion, lacking their annual period of rest.</p> + +<p>The climatic conditions along the coast of British Guiana +are peculiar, in that they simulate conditions usually existing +at an altitude of two or three thousand feet. One result of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_132"></a>[132]</span> +this is seen in the flourishing tree-ferns planted in the Botanical +Gardens.</p> + +<p>Insects were not particularly abundant in Georgetown, +that is, for a tropical country. One day Mr. Rodway, with +his accustomed kindness, brought us two very interesting +chrysalids of the swallow-tailed butterfly, <i>Papilio polydamus</i>, +illustrating the remarkable color variation in this species. +Both were found in his yard, a few feet from each other, one +suspended among green leaves and the other on a wooden +stairway which was painted a brick-red. One of the chrysalids +was leaf-green in color while the other was brown with +brick-red trimmings!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure067" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure067.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 67. Young Elania Flycatchers.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>There was one remarkable exception to the scarcity of +insects in Georgetown. Late in February, a moth-like +Homopterus insect, <i>Poeciloptera phalaenoides</i>, was present in +enormous numbers on the Saman trees which line many of +the streets. The largest individuals had wings almost an +inch in length of a light cream color, covered for about half<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_133"></a>[133]</span> +their expanse with two masses of black dots. These were +the males. The females were wingless and their bodies were +covered with a long dense cottony secretion. The eggs and +larvæ which lined thousands of the twigs were also protected +by this white material. One could hardly walk +without crushing these insects, so numerous were they. +The only birds we observed feeding on them were Anis and +domestic fowls.</p> + +<p>The middle of April found these insects as abundant as +ever, still hatching in myriads, but by the 22d of the month +the broods on the main streets seemed to be diminishing, +although the hordes infesting the trees at the entrance of the +Botanical Gardens were on the increase. Noticing that there +seemed to be interesting nodes of variation in the number +and patterns of the dots on the wings of the males, we set +a Coolie boy to gathering them for future study and he soon +had a thousand or more in a jar of alcohol.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_134"></a>[134]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.<br> +<span class="smaller">STEAMER AND LAUNCH TO HOORIE CREEK.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>When we left New York we had planned to go up the +Demerara River from Georgetown and spend our time +on the Essequibo and Potaro. We had the good fortune, +however, to take the same steamer with Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord +Wilshire who were paying their annual visit to their two +large gold concessions. The previous year they had travelled +over many of the larger rivers and when we heard their glowing +accounts of the northern and western wilderness compared +to the rather thinned out “bush” and more travelled +route of the Demerara, and were asked to join their party in +going first to the Hoorie Mine in the northwest and then to +the Aremu Mine in central Guiana, we hesitated not a moment.</p> + +<p>We left the Georgetown stelling, or wharf, at noon on +March 2d, on the little steamer “Mazaruni” for the long +coastwise trip to Morawhanna. Leaving the harbor flock +of Laughing Gulls<span class="bird"><a href="#bird16">16</a></span> behind, we steered straight out to sea +for several hours before turning to the northwest. The +water all along the coast is very shallow and is so filled +with sediment that even in a heavy gale the waves break +but little. We passed the mouth of the Essequibo, thirty-five +miles in width, with the two great islands, Wakenaam +and Leguan, fairly in the centre of the mouth. The night +was rough and windy and the little tub rolled wildly.</p> + +<p>At five o’clock next morning we were steaming slowly +between two walls of green which brought vividly to mind +our Venezuelan trip of last year. A few other plants were +intermingled with the mangroves, but the solid ranks of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a>[135]</span> +latter were unbroken. The colors were as wonderful as +ever; the rich dark green on either hand, bright copper +beneath and azure above. A few hours later we entered +Mora Passage and here palms began to rear their heads over +the other foliage. The air was cool and bracing, we breathed +deeply and watched for the first signs of life. A half dozen +Muscovy Ducks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird43">43</a></span> swung past, the giant master of the flock +in the lead, their white wing mirrors flashing as they flew. +Two Amazon Parrots rose ahead of us and the shore was +alive with tiny white moths fluttering over the water.</p> + +<p>Morawhanna is within five miles of the Venezuela boundary, +and politically is important as being the chief Government +Station for the Northwest District, and being the +entrance post for the gold fields of this region. As we tied +up to the primitive wharf, Indians in their dug-outs or wood-skins +appeared in numbers, bringing fish, rubber and other +things for trade to the little Chinese store. Morawhanna itself +consists of a straggling line of thatched huts extending +irregularly along the bank and inland between the marshy +spots.</p> + +<p>A short walk on shore showed the inhabitants to be Indians, +blacks and half-breeds. Birds were abundant, especially +Yellow-bellied Callistes,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird142">142</a></span> Honey Creepers, Tanagers, and +the four commoner species of Kiskadee Tyrants<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird104">104</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird106">106</a></span>. +A large Skimmer<span class="bird"><a href="#bird17">17</a></span> flew past the boat and later we saw +several flocks.</p> + +<p>We expected to meet the launch from the Hoorie Mine, but +as it had not yet arrived, we boarded the steamer again and +went on with it to the end of its route at Mount Everard. +We left Morawhanna at half-past ten in the morning and +reached our destination five hours later. Although all this +country is low and marshy, yet the White Mangrove and the +Courida, or Red Mangrove, here give place to a variegated +forest growth, and we soon saw our first Mora trees,—huge +we thought them, but to be dwarfed by the inland giants of +our succeeding expeditions. The walls of vegetation were +seventy or eighty feet in height, draped by vines, while dead +branches protruded here and there from the water near shore. +Many Snake-birds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird48">48</a></span> were perched on these snags, from +which they dropped silently into the water at our approach +and swam off with body immersed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_136"></a>[136]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp50" id="figure068" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure068.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 68. Typical Indian House at Morawhanna.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_137"></a>[137]</span></p> + +<p>Blue-and-Yellow Macaws<span class="bird"><a href="#bird61">61</a></span> were common—always as +usual in multiples of two. We observed them a half dozen +times in different reaches of the river, four in the first group, +then eight, two, six, four and two. A trio of American +Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird32">32</a></span> kept flying ahead of us for several miles, hemmed +in by the lofty walls of foliage, alighting now and then and +waiting for the steamer. At last when only ten yards distant +they rose and floated over our heads.</p> + +<p>Once a splendid Guiana Crested Eagle<span class="bird"><a href="#bird57">57</a></span> flew past and +alighted on a dead tree, and twice we saw small colonies +of Yellow<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span> and Red-backed<span class="bird"><a href="#bird152">152</a></span> Cassiques nesting in isolated +Mora trees <i>out in the water</i>; a new method of protection on +the part of these intelligent birds. At occasional intervals a +nesting pair of White-throated Kingbirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird106">106</a></span> was seen, but +no other of the Tyrants which are so common about houses +in this region. The event of the day came when we caught +a flash of white from a Buzzard floating high overhead and +our stereos showed a King Vulture<span class="bird"><a href="#bird50">50</a></span> circling slowly around, +craning his wattled head down at us as he drifted past. We +had never expected to see this bird near the coast and +indeed we saw no others during our entire stay in Guiana.</p> + +<p>As we steamed past a wind-break we caught a momentary +glimpse of two wee naked Indian children paddling away +in a wood-skin while behind them their bronze-skinned +parents watched us silently.</p> + +<p>Mount Everard lies about fifty miles from Morawhanna +up the Barima River and consists of a ramshackle hotel and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_138"></a>[138]</span> +several logies—the latter being mere open sheds from whose +rafters hammocks may be hung. The whole country hereabouts +is low, except at this point where two small conical +hills arise—one on each side of the river—bearing the high-sounding +names of Mounts Everard and Terminus. The +forest has been partly cleared from these and we attempted to +explore the neighboring country. We soon gave it up as the +underbrush was too thick, and even when we forced a way +through it there was no footing but muddy water. Cowpaths +led over the “mounts” which seemed to be composed +of red, sticky clay. Half way up Mount Everard we found +an enormous terrestrial ants’ nest, some fifteen feet across, +bare of vegetation and with well-marked roads, four to six +inches wide, leading out into the jungle. A little prodding +with a stick brought out scores of huge-jawed soldiers +(<i>Atta cephalotes</i>).</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure069" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure069.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 69. Three Year Olds at Home in their Wood-skin.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The most interesting birds were the well-named Magpie<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_139"></a>[139]</span> +Tanagers which flashed past now and then. The long, graduated +tail, the glossy black and white plumage and the conspicuous +white iris mark this as one of the most striking of +the Tanagers. The call-note was loud and harsh but the +tones of those we saw in captivity and of one individual which +we brought back alive were pleasant and modulated.</p> + +<p>Euphonias, Blue,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird143">143</a></span> Palm,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird144">144</a></span> and Silver-beak<span class="bird"><a href="#bird146">146</a></span> Tanagers +and Red-underwing Doves<span class="bird"><a href="#bird10">10</a></span> were all nesting close to the +settlement, while in a good-sized tree whose branches were +brushing against the “hotel” windows were some hundred +nests of Cassiques—the Red<span class="bird"><a href="#bird152">152</a></span> and the Yellow-backed<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span> in +about equal numbers. When the two were seen fighting, +the Red-backed seemed invariably to have the better of it. +The natives here think the different colors mark the two +sexes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_140"></a>[140]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure070" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure070.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 70. Mount Everard.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_141"></a>[141]</span></p> + +<p>Just before sunset the wharf at Mount Everard began to +show signs of life. All day it had been deserted, a few small +flat-bottomed boats, which we came later to know by the +native name of ballyhoos, being moored idly against the dock; +but now as the day drew to a close, groups of Indians and +negroes gathered. We hung over the railing of our boat and +watched them as lazily and as curiously as they watched us. +Then the quiet air was rent with a medley of grunts and +squeals and brays, the cries and shouts of human beings +rising above all the other sounds, as a large party of men +appeared escorting one scrawny cow, one lean but energetic +hog, and finally one donkey, in whose being was concentrated +all the stubbornness to which his race is heir. The problem was +to load these beasts into one of the waiting ballyhoos. The +ballyhoo was small, the current was moving it to and fro, and +the cow and the donkey and the hog were not minded to go +a-voyaging. As the negro always talks to his beast of burden +as though it were his intellectual and social equal, so in this +case the men approached the animals with all manner of +reasonable argument, explaining where they were going and +the importance of an early start and appealing to all that was +noble and estimable, emphasizing everything with a choice +selection of expletives combined with physical force. Finally +after pushing and prodding the ill-fated cow they succeeded +in half shoving, half throwing it into the boat. After many +struggles the loudly indignant hog followed. When at last +the donkey had been safely embarked we wondered if that +little craft would ever reach its destination, with so heavy and +protesting a load: when to our surprise the big black, who had +been most vociferous and active in the recent mêlée, wiped +his dripping forehead and stood calling “Possengers! Possengers! +all aboad”! with as grand an air as though he +were the chief steward on a great ocean liner. The “possengers” +proved to be half a dozen buxom negresses, who +with many a coy glance and feminine shriek of terror +allowed the big black proprietor to help them from the dock +to the boat, now rocking violently beneath the restless feet +of the animals.</p> + +<p>Finally the ballyhoo moved slowly up stream, bound for a +distant mine in the far interior, and another boat laden with +bananas followed. An Indian paddled swiftly past in his +wood-skin. Then darkness fell as suddenly as the dropping +of a stage curtain; and we turned away from the river drama +back to our life on board the “Mazaruni.”</p> + +<p>While awaiting the dinner bell we slung our hammocks +along the deck, that through the meal we might know that +they were swinging gently in the velvet night air, all ready for +our comfortably tired selves.</p> + +<p>The night was clear and the blacks worked for several +hours in the moonlight, unloading cargo. Not a mosquito +came to mar the beauty of the night. Indeed the natives said +they were never troublesome here at Mount Everard. In our +hammocks as we rocked to sleep we thought drowsily of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_142"></a>[142]</span> +dear Venezuelan wilderness of last year. We were so glad +to be sleeping again in the open under the canopy of the +southern sky. At last we felt that we were on the threshold +of another wilderness.</p> + +<p>At four o’clock in the morning we awoke and heard far off +through the jungle, the old, familiar howling of the red +“baboons.” About five a rooster crowed on board and was +answered by several on shore, and this seemed to awaken a +black who began singing from his hammock in a logie, when +a score of others took up the wild refrain and kept it up +until daylight. With the sudden rush of light came the distant +bubbling of Twa-twas, those little thick-billed pygmy +Grosbeaks,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird130">130</a></span> and the cackling hubbub of the Cassique +colony.</p> + +<p>Returning to Morawhanna we were made welcome at the +home of Mr. Howie King the Government Agent, while +waiting for our Hoorie launch. The government house is +well built and belonged formerly to Sir Everard im Thurn. It +is surrounded by a garden which must once have been magnificent +and which Mr. King is attempting to restore, clearing +away the undergrowth which has long overrun the beautiful +shrubs and flowering plants. The house is built on the +extreme southern end of a great island which extends in a +northwest direction for about fifty miles far into Venezuela +territory, Mora Passage lying between it and Morawhanna +proper. Flowers were abundant, attracting many insects +and these in turn birds of a score or more species. Kiskadees +were nesting in low Bois Immortelle trees, Yellow-backed +Cassiques or Bunyahs, in a great saman overhanging the +house; while in the garden were Seed-eaters of several kinds, +together with Blue and Palm Tanagers and the beautiful +Moriche Orioles.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird158">158</a></span> Guiana House Wrens<span class="bird"><a href="#bird124">124</a></span> were nesting +indoors on the ceiling rafters and under the deep eaves of the +half veranda, half sitting-room was a beautiful pendent nest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_143"></a>[143]</span> +of the Feather-toed Swift<span class="bird"><a href="#bird71">71</a></span> composed entirely of feathery seed +plumes. It was a straight symmetrical column about three +inches in diameter and fourteen inches long, suspended from +the palm thatch, not half a foot from a hanging, open-comb +wasps’ nest. The upper ten inches of the nest was built and +occupied just six months ago in September, and a brood of +two young were reared. Now the birds had returned and were +preparing to nest again, having already added four inches +of pure white seed-plumes, easily distinguished from the older, +browner, weathered portion. They came to the nest every +hour with a beakful of plumes and pressed them into position +while fluttering in mid air, evidently utilizing their saliva as a +cementing substance. In the interims between their visits,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_144"></a>[144]</span> +Hummingbirds,—sometimes two at once—came and filched +nesting material from the lower end, fraying it out very +appreciably. Their nests were attached to the lesser stems of +a dense clump of bamboo in the garden.</p> + +<p>This Swift was common on all the Guiana rivers, hawking +with Swallows over the water. Seen on the wing it +appears glossy black with a white throat and collar.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="figure071" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure071.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 71. Sir Everard im Thurn’s House at Morawhanna.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>It was the height of the season of courtship of the Palm +Tanagers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird144">144</a></span> and they were noisy and bold. A caged female +proved to be a source of great attraction and several +wild ones kept coming to the cage. We trapped two +and they made themselves at home within a few minutes. +There was considerable variation, some being gray, almost +a bluish gray, while in others the green was strongly +dominant.</p> + +<p>The chickens and ducks were taken by two kinds of opossums, +one, large, ill-smelling and living in the bamboos, and +the other very small and rat-like. Game was abundant here +and tapirs, Tinamous and Guans were shot for food. The +mudflats were inhabited by a host of crabs; most of them +exactly like our little fiddlers, while others were larger and +blue or yellow in color.</p> + +<p>Sand-flies and mosquitoes were present in small numbers, +the latter troublesome enough for hammock nets at night, but +the worst pest hereabouts was the bête-rouge which abounded +in the grass both at Mount Everard and here. Nowhere +else did we suffer so much from the fiendish little beasts. +Like sea-sickness or an earthquake, bête-rouge is a great +leveller of mankind, like a common disaster doing more to +make men “free and equal” than all the constitutions and +doctrines ever signed. In a bête-rouge infested region the +conversation is sooner or later sure to turn upon the subject +of these little red mites. Everyone you meet has his or +her particular pet remedy to prescribe. The subject under<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_145"></a>[145]</span> +discussion may be the coolie immigration laws, or the proper +scientific name for some species of orchid or who is to be +the next Governor—but some sharp-eyed fellow sufferer is +certain to detect the guilty look upon one’s face which translated +into words would be “My ankles are devoured by bête-rouge!” +and then the assembled company begins to discuss +the topic of really vital interest.</p> + +<p>We tried <i>all</i> the remedies—Scrubb’s ammonia, dry soap, +wet salt, wet soda, alcohol, resinol ointment, chloroform +camphor,—to little purpose beyond very temporary relief. +Finally we reached the stage when good manners were thrown +to the winds and every victim scratched at will, despite the +fact that it eventually aggravated the trouble. There was +developed an individuality in the method so that at long +distances we were able to recognize one another by the +characteristic motions of discomfort!</p> + +<p>Then came the discovery of crab-oil, which is an ounce of +prevention and not a cure. Rubbed on <i>before</i> going out, no +sane bête-rouge will attack you. Crab-oil is made of the nut +of the crab-wood tree and it is greasy and sticky and has a +disagreeable, rancid odor, which is very lasting. One of us +hinted that it was a question whether the remedy were not +worse than the disease. She even objected to having bottles +of crab-oil rolled for safety in packing, in her very limited +supply of clothing. She was promptly pronounced “finnicky” +by her “better half” who was righteously indignant +and surprised at discovering so unexpected a quality in her. +But then he, more than anyone else, was afflicted with bête-rouge; +and so could not be expected to see anything at all +objectionable in the odor of the crab-oil to which he owed so +much relief. It does unquestionably give relief. Well protected +with crab-oil one can bid defiance to the annoying little +pests, which an old gentleman whom we chanced to meet in +our travels persistently and seriously called “<i>bête noir</i>,”<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_146"></a>[146]</span> +under the delusion that that was their proper and very +appropriate name.</p> + +<p>Mr. King’s garden was a constant source of interest because +of the flowers, the insects and the birds. In the top +of a dead shrub a good-sized yellow flowered orchid had +been tied. This, during the last rainy season, had evidently +dropped seeds, some of which had clung to the branches +beneath and then sprouted. When we saw them, there +were twenty or more of these diminutive orchids scattered +over the shrub, each with four tiny clinging rootlets, a three-parted +leaflet and in the centre one blossom as big as the +entire plant, the whole not larger than a shilling.</p> + +<p>Two large species of lizards lived in the garden, the common +iguana which climbed the trees and fed on leaves and buds, +and another, called locally Salapenta (<i>Teius nigro punctatus</i>), +which included carrion, chicks and even fish in its bill of fare. +They would now and then dive into a small pond and appear +with a small fish in their jaws.</p> + +<p>The last evening of our stay at Mr. King’s we spent sitting +on the wharf looking out over Mora Passage. The ripples +died from the wake of the steamer as she vanished around +a bend on her way back to Georgetown. A cool refreshing +breeze blew toward us as the sun’s light faded and a dense +flock of more than a hundred Amazon Parrots flew overhead. +Our shadows changed from sharp black outlines thrown on +the water before us to faint gray shapes, moon-cast on the +crab-wood boards behind.</p> + +<p>The tangle of palms and liana-draped trees across the +Passage became more indistinct and the brilliant moonlight +lit up the swirling brown current. An Indian boy +passed silently in a narrow curiara. We were his friends—we +had given him sixpence and he was off to the little store +amid the low thatched huts a few hundred yards down the +river, which marked Morawhanna. We knew him only as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_147"></a>[147]</span> +Frederick, for no white person would ever be told his real +name—that of some animal or bird—as such disclosure +is against all Indian custom, from the fear of thereby giving +others evil power over them. He gave us a quick, shy, +half smile, and then all light died from his Mongolian features +and he peered sternly into the darkness ahead. Well had he +need of fear and caution. We may be sure his purchases +were made stealthily and his quick return was certain, for +death watched for him in a hundred places.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure072" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure072.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 72. Palm Tanager.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The day before, he had testified against three of his tribe—the +Caribs—for the murder of his father, and now the stern +hand of English justice had closed and the chief murderer +was eating his heart out somewhere in a cell beyond the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_148"></a>[148]</span> +bend of the river. No more could Frederick mingle with his +tribe, and on his knees and in tears he had begged Mr. King +to keep him and shelter him on the Government Island. +The vendetta would follow him through life and it was +almost certain he would be killed sooner or later.</p> + +<p>The calm of the evening was perfect, undisturbed by all +this hidden tragedy. When the moon was well clear of +the trees, some great frog hidden in the swamp began his +rhythmical <i>kronk! kronk! kronk!</i> and tiny bats dashed about, +splashing the surface of the water as they drank or snatched +floating insects.</p> + +<p>The <i>yap! yap!</i> of a passing but invisible Skimmer came +faintly, and the throbbing roll of a second kind of frog rumbled +out of the dusk across the river. The moonlight became +ever stronger and now a Kiskadee called sleepily from his +great untidy nest in the distant village. A sharp whip-lash +of sound came to our ears and we knew that a +Parauque<span class="bird"><a href="#bird70">70</a></span> had awakened from his diurnal slumber. An +answering cry sounded near at hand in the garden and we +could distinguish the two connected tones. The splash of +paddles announced the return of the rest of our party as an +Indian woman began a droning song from the fire before +her hut a few yards away.</p> + +<p>Impatient as we were to get into the real “bush,” the +days at Morawhanna were delightful. From Mr. King we +learned a great deal about England’s government of this +out-of-the-world colony. We were especially interested in +the protection of the indentured coolie. In the first place +the coolie labor market is never allowed to become over-crowded. +Each employer sends in an order for the exact +number of workmen which he requires, so that the supply +brought over is never greater than the demand. The coolie +gets free passage from India to South America, and is +guaranteed work at a minimum wage of a shilling a day,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_149"></a>[149]</span> +including his food. On his arrival the immigration agent +assigns him to a certain estate, where his term of indenture +is five years, his wage being increased as his capacity for work +becomes greater. During his term of service he can leave +the estate only by permission, and he must never be found +at large without his pass book.</p> + +<p>At the end of five years the coolie is free to work where he +pleases, or to take up a grant of land of his own. After five +years more of residence he may return to India free of charge +if he so wishes. As the coolie is very thrifty and can live +on threepence a day, his menu being rice and water, at the +expiration of his ten years, in addition to having earned his +living and supported his family, he has often saved up as +much as two thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>Throughout his term of indenture the English government +looks after him. He always has good medical care free, and +the law watches over him with scrupulous vigilance, seeing +that he is justly treated by his employer, and that no advantage +is taken of his ignorance and inexperience. When the +coolie leaves India he, of course, loses caste, but as they all fall +proportionately, each moving down one in the social scale, +a proper balance is preserved. The coolie returning to India, +however, finds himself a disgraced outcast. To regain his +position in society he must pay large sums of money to the +priests; and so it is that he returns to his native land only +to be robbed of his hard-earned savings, often returning to +South America as a re-indentured man, to start life again. +In order to discourage his return to India, the government +offers him the money equivalent to his return passage. Many +of the coolies take advantage of this and make South America +their permanent home, taking up grants of their own and +living in greater peace and prosperity than would ever have +been possible for them in India.</p> + +<p>The population of Morawhanna is composed of coolies,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_150"></a>[150]</span> +Indians and blacks, who look to the magistrate as a sort of +all powerful father to whom they bring troubles of every +conceivable kind.</p> + +<p>As we were sitting at breakfast one day an aged coolie man +was seen hanging around the door. He must see Mr. King +on a most important matter, which proved to be a delicate +one indeed. His wife had fallen in love with another man and +what was he to do? Such troubles are very common among +the coolies. Instead of avenging himself upon the man who +dared to alienate his wife’s affections, the coolie invariably +murders his wife, the favorite method being to chop her up +“particularly small.”</p> + +<p>In this instance the wife was young and good looking, and +her grievance was that her husband expected her to assume +the entire support of him and his family, and she declared +she would rather die than go back to him. The only solution +of the problem was to hurry the woman off on the afternoon +boat to Georgetown, in order to save her from murder +and her husband from execution.</p> + +<p>They are all very fond of bringing their wrongs into court. +An irate Indian woman will appear, bringing a charge against +the dressmaker who has made her wedding dress too short. +Dress of any description is the most recent of acquisitions +with the Indian woman, but having acquired it she intends +that her wedding gown shall fulfill all the requirements of +Dame Fashion, so far as she knows them.</p> + +<p>The gown in question has been brought into court as +incontrovertible evidence. Should she not put it on and +<i>prove</i> to the magistrate, who cries in despair that he knows +nothing of the proper length of wedding gowns and calls +in another dressmaker for expert opinion. The two dressmakers +stand together and the case is dismissed. This is +quoted to show the infinite patience with which the magistrate +treats each case, however trivial.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_151"></a>[151]</span></p> + +<p>The commissioner of health brings a charge against a coolie +man, on the ground that he has allowed the drains near his +hut to become clogged and so endangered the Public Health. +Mr. King reads the indictment in impressive, magisterial +tones, accusing the offender of having permitted his drains +to become foul. Foul is evidently the one word which conveys +any meaning to the coolie, who exclaims in a tone of +relief that he has never kept any “fowls”! In British +Guiana the arm of the law must have a sense of humor as well +as of justice!</p> + +<p>We often wondered what was going on behind the impassive +face of little Frederick. Did he live in constant terror +or did he sometimes forget it all in the light-hearted pleasure +of a child? The man convicted of his father’s murder was a +peaiman—or medicine man, who is held in great awe and +reverence by his tribe. So Frederick’s betrayal was doubly +criminal in the eyes of the superstitious Indians.</p> + +<p>Frederick had been brought down to Morawhanna at +Christmas—a little naked savage knowing not a word of +English. When at a loss for a word he always fell back +upon the civil “Sir” which Mr. King had taught him. As +white women were rare in Morawhanna he had never learned +the feminine of “Sir.” It was very amusing to see him serving +at table, going all around asking with great dignity, +“What will you have, Suh?” regardless of the sex of the guest. +Mr. King had taught him to knock before entering a room. +He was childishly delighted with the new accomplishment +and knocked on both entering and leaving the room. We +discovered that he had spent our sixpence on a belt which +it seems was the desire of his heart—already so sophisticated!</p> + +<p>The dazed stoicism of the convicted Indian was infinitely +pathetic to us. This terrible thing called the <i>Law</i> is so +incomprehensible to him. He cannot understand it. When<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_152"></a>[152]</span> +a convicted comrade is taken down to Georgetown to execution, +his friends and family realize only that he has gone +away in a boat to some mysterious place from which he never +returns. As far as the moral effect of an execution is concerned, +there is none.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp60" id="figure073" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure073.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 73. Frederick, the Carib Indian Boy.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Into the absolutely natural life of the Indian, with the +simple and perfectly comprehended tribal laws, has come so +much that is confusing;—the new religion, the relations of +the laborer to the employer, the wearing of clothes and the +strange and powerful law. The Indian is a creature of +the present moment, instantly acting upon every desire, +working when he wishes to work, and quietly dropping<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a>[153]</span> +all work and departing when he so desires. What can +he—the creature of Nature—know of all this puzzling +civilization?</p> + +<p class="tb">At noon on March 6th we embarked on the three days’ +tent-boat journey from Morawhanna to Hoorie Mine. A +thirty-foot launch was the motor power and alongside this +the big tent-boat was lashed, while several Indians hitched +their wood-skins behind as boys hitch sleds to a passing +sleigh.</p> + +<p>The baggage was stored fore and aft and, perched on a pile +in the bow, we prepared for our first real day of observation +along the rivers of the Northwest. We retraced our way +northward through Mora Passage, frightening as we went, +a flock of seven Scarlet Ibises.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird27">27</a></span> They kept close together +and were evidently a single family, as two were in fully +adult plumage, while the others were only three quarters +grown, and feathered wholly in brown and white.</p> + +<p>About three o’clock in the afternoon we reached the Waini +River, but instead of turning toward the mouth and the +open ocean which we could see to the northwest, we steered +eastward up stream. Although the outlet of several large +rivers, the Waini, in its lower reaches, is little more than a +great salt water tidal inlet, or caño.</p> + +<p>At Mora Passage the Waini is about two miles wide and +through the choppy waters of the falling tide we steered +straight across to the north shore. Between the waters of +this river and the ocean extends a long narrow strip of marshy +mangrove, for at least forty miles. Both the White and the +Red Mangrove are found here, the latter predominating, and +this is the breeding sanctuary of the hosts of birds which haunt +the mud-flats at low tide and fill the trees with a gorgeous +display of color when the feeding grounds are covered at +high tide.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_154"></a>[154]</span></p> + +<p>For the next three hours we were enchanted by a constantly +changing panorama of bird life, which in extent and variety +can seldom be equalled elsewhere.</p> + +<p>While crossing the Waini several Swallow-tailed Kites<span class="bird"><a href="#bird58">58</a></span> +soared screaming overhead, occasionally swooping past for a +nearer look at us. As we skirted the great mangrove forest, +birds flew up ahead, few at first but in constantly increasing +numbers, until several hundred were in sight at once. They +showed little fear and were apparently content to vibrate +slowly along between launch and shore, accompanying us for +fifteen or twenty miles.</p> + +<p>By far the greater number were Little Blue Herons,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird34">34</a></span> the +pure white immature and the slaty blue adults being equally +numerous. The latter were very inconspicuous among the +foliage, while the former stood out like marble statues against +green velvet. The coloring showed great asymmetrical variation, +and one young bird with a single blue feather in the +right wing was so tame that it kept almost abreast of our +flotilla. The irregularity of moult resulted in most remarkable +patterns, as in several birds, each of which had one white +and one bluish wing.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen Yellow-crowned Night Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird36">36</a></span> were seen +and twenty or thirty of the ill-named Louisianas.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird35">35</a></span> A few +Great-billed Terns<span class="bird"><a href="#bird14">14</a></span> accompanied the herons and later in the +afternoon we began flushing Snowy Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird33">33</a></span> in ever increasing +numbers. No American Egrets were seen. All along the +coast were small flocks of Scarlet Ibises,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird27">27</a></span> from three to +thirty in number, and in an hour we had driven together no +less than four hundred. The majority were full plumaged +birds clad in burning vermilion, but many were young in +moult. We secured a young female in an interesting condition +of moult. In the stomach were found the two chelæ +or claws of a small crustacean, each about one-third of an +inch in length. The wings were wholly of the immature<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_155"></a>[155]</span> +brown, except for one tiny under-edge covert in the right +wing. The back, lower breast and under tail-coverts were +fairly scarlet and active moult was in progress on the head +and neck.</p> + +<p>We know that in captivity these birds fade out, usually in +a single moult, from the most vivid scarlet to a pale salmon +hue, but as to the cause we are still in the dark. The same +is true of American Flamingos and Spoonbills. During this +trip we made certain of a fact which helps slightly to clear +this problem—this being that Scarlet Ibises fade as quickly +and completely when in captivity in their native country as in +the north. This is confirmed by many birds kept formerly +in Georgetown and also on the Island of Marajo at the mouth +of the Amazon.</p> + +<p>We have noticed an interesting fact in regard to this fading +out of birds in captivity. Whether the salmon tints appear +in the first moult, or more gradually in several, the lesser +wing-coverts and the upper and under tail-coverts are the +last to loose the scarlet color, retaining it sometimes for five +or six years. These feathers in the nearly related but pale +Roseate Spoonbill are those which are normally scarlet, and +this resemblance may be more than a coincidence.</p> + +<p>About four o’clock we were surprised to see a large black +and white bird with long gray beak and red legs fly up from +a mud-flat ahead and swing outward and around us. The +glasses showed a Maguari Stork<span class="bird"><a href="#bird29">29</a></span> in full breeding color; even +the red caruncles around the eye and the long, filmy neck +feathers being visible. We had never expected to see the +bird away from the pampas of the interior and the sight of +the splendid Stork was most exciting. It is almost as large +as the Jabiru, white with black wings, scapulars and tail and +is one of the most picturesque of the larger waders.</p> + +<p>We have had a pair of these birds alive for some time and +have observed a curious thing about the tail. The real tail-feathers<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_156"></a>[156]</span> +are forked, swallow-like, while the intervening space +is filled up with the long, stiff under tail-coverts. In flight +the whole are spread, making a parti-colored fan of some +eighteen feathers instead of the usual six pairs. These under +tail-coverts are a full inch longer than the regular tail feathers +and seem to be usurping their function.</p> + +<p>Two old friends of northern waters appeared in small +numbers, Ospreys<span class="bird"><a href="#bird59">59</a></span> circling about high in the air with now +and then a meteor-like dive, while Spotted Sandpipers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird22">22</a></span> +looped from one headland to another ahead of us.</p> + +<p>At half-past four in the afternoon we had our first sight of +the great flocks of birds which seem characteristic of this +season. Quite high in air, clear of the tops of the tallest +trees we saw a black cloud of birds approaching. We soon +made them out to be Greater Anis,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird79">79</a></span> or as the natives called +them “Big Witch” or “Jumbie Birds.” When first seen +they were in a dense, compact mass headed straight toward us.</p> + +<p>Their flight was uniform, each bird giving three to six +flaps and then sailing ahead for several seconds. Hundreds +doing this at once made the sight a most striking one, while +it was enhanced by their long, wedge-shaped tails, high arched +beaks, bright yellow eyes, and the iridescence of their dark +plumage as the slanting rays of the sun struck them. We +counted up to a thousand in the van and then gave up—there +were at the very least four thousand birds in the flock.</p> + +<p>The approach of the puffing launch and our great escort +of Ibises and Herons disconcerted them and the entire company +broke up, most of them descending, turning on their +course and fleeing ahead of us for several miles. Their +mode of flight changed completely, the birds flying close to +the water, barely skimming its surface and swinging up every +few yards to alight on a low branch.</p> + +<p>A piece of wood thrown among a mass of them would cause +great dismay, and they dashed down into the nearest foliage<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_157"></a>[157]</span> +as if a Hawk had appeared. Little by little they drifted past, +flying rapidly near shore, and continuing in the direction which +they had originally chosen. A few of the birds were moulting, +but by far the greater number were in perfect plumage.</p> + +<p>The flock had the appearance of being on some sort of +migration rather than assembling at a nightly roost. About +Georgetown and the settlements and clearings in general, +this Greater Ani was much rarer then the small Smooth-billed +species,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span> twenty of the latter being seen to one of +the former. These aberrant Cuckoos are most interesting +birds and several females are said to combine, building a +single hollow nest of sticks in which the eggs are hatched.</p> + +<p>Hardly had the last Ani passed out of sight when a second +cloud of birds appeared far ahead, and before we had approached +near enough to identify them a shrill chorus came +to our ears; a horde of Blue-headed Parrots<span class="bird"><a href="#bird65">65</a></span> were on their +way up the coast. They behaved in much the same way +as the Anis, but were more numerous: an estimate far below +the truth gave eight thousand. Closely massed though most +of them were, yet the eternal two and two formation of the +tribe of Parrots was never lost, and even when the vanguard, +terrified by our puffing launch, wheeled and dashed back +through the ranks behind, each Parrot flew always close to +its mate. Once later on, when only a few scores were left +near us, we saw several perched in a bare tree close to a +Hawk, like a Sparrow Hawk in size, but neither species paid +any attention to the other’s presence.</p> + +<p>The Parrots screamed unceasingly and near the main body +the noise was terrific—a shrill deafening roar, as from a +dozen factory whistles. Until long after dark they flew +back and forth around us, sometimes attempting to alight +in a tree and falling from branch to branch almost to the +water, before securing a foot or beak-hold. For several +hours perfect pandemonium reigned around us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_158"></a>[158]</span></p> + +<p>Whether these two phenomena of flocking birds indicated +merely a nightly roosting habit or an actual, more or less +local migration, they were of the greatest interest, and +spectacular in the extreme. Our opinion inclines decidedly +toward the latter theory, as they both differed greatly from +the regular roosting flights which we observed elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Long after dark, about nine o’clock, in the faint light +of the cloud-dimmed moon, we caught glimpses of occasional +ghostly forms flitting silently past, and when we flashed our +powerful electric light upon them, the feathered ghosts would +emit frightened squawks; revealed as Snowy Egrets or young +Blue Herons. Here and there among the mangroves, large +lightning bugs flashed. At last we rolled up in our blankets +and slept on the thwarts, to dream of the unnumbered legions +of Anis and Parrots far off behind us in the blackness of the +mangrove jungle.</p> + +<p>In a soft steady rain we steamed all next morning up the +Waini, seeing few signs of life, except three Toucans which +flew across at Barrimani Police Station. At noon we reached +Farnum’s at the junction of the Waini and Barama rivers. +Mr. and Mrs. Farnum live in a small house perched on the +very summit of a symmetrically rounded hill—the first +elevation we had seen in this flat region. There is a tiny +store at the foot of the hill, and a saw-mill, and in the +grass of the clearing, bête-rouge lie in patient wait for the +passer-by. Mrs. Farnum told us that “Hummingbirds” +flew into the peaked roof of the house almost every day and +died. The natives call by this name all the species of Honey +Creepers, and a Yellow-winged<span class="bird"><a href="#bird136">136</a></span> male was picked up from +the floor during our visit.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a>[159]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure074" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure074.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 74. Our Tent-boat on the Barama River.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_160"></a>[160]</span></p> + +<p>We found later that this was such a common occurrence +that in almost all the houses there were instruments for +getting rid of the bewildered, fluttering birds. The more +cruel used only a long stick with which the birds were struck +down, but the more humanely inclined had nets on the end +of long poles. As many as seven Honey Creepers are occasionally +entrapped at one time. They do not seem to know +how to fly toward light and liberty after getting up among +the dark rafters.</p> + +<p>The fauna of this exceedingly marshy region was different +from that higher up. Agoutis and pacas are abundant but +capybaras do not come this side of Barramanni Police Station. +Deer and peccaries are very rare. Jaguars are unknown +but ocelots are occasionally found, a young one having been +killed under the house at Christmas. It lived in a burrow +and took a chicken each night until it was killed.</p> + +<p>Many fish were seen playing about the tent-boat as it +was tied to the wharf, and among others were scores of small +pipe-fish. Mr. Crandall caught a small round sun-fish-like +form, brilliantly colored and with a most wicked looking +set of triangular teeth. As he was about to take the fish +off the hook it deliberately twisted itself in the direction of +his hand and bit his finger, taking a piece out with one snip +of its four razor-like incisors. This was our introduction +to the famous Perai or Carib Fish (<i>Serrasalmo scapularis</i>) +which seems to fear nothing, man, crocodile or fish, and a +school of which can disable any creature in a very short time.</p> + +<p>At this point we left the Waini and turned off into the +Barama. We had followed the Waini day and night for +about sixty miles, until, from a stream of two miles or more +in width, it had narrowed to little more then one hundred +yards.</p> + +<p>We left Farnum’s at three in the afternoon and steamed +slowly up the Barama for twelve hours, tying up to the bank +from three to seven in the early morning. We slept but +little, for the strange wonderland which opened up before us. +At nine o’clock the full moon rose and the beauty of the +wilderness became indescribable. In the north—along the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_161"></a>[161]</span> +rivers of the Canadian forest—the spruces and firs are +clean-trunked, tapering to tall, isolated, symmetrical summits. +Here the very opposite conditions exist; solid massive +walls of black foliage, with almost never a glimpse of trunk +and bark. Most characteristic are the long, slender bush-ropes +or lianas. In the forest they are thick, gnarled and +knotted; there we get the vivid feeling of serpentine struggles +in the terribly slow but none the less remorseless striving for +light and air, but along the rivers the lianas are pendent +threads or cables—straight as plummets and often a hundred +feet in length. These give a decorative aspect to the scene +unlike any other type of forest—temperate or northern.</p> + +<p>In the moonlight the appearance of the walls of foliage +is like painted scenery. Their blackness and impenetrability +give a feeling of flatness and the summit outlines are crudely +regular. The dominant sound at night along the Barama +was a sweet tinkling as of tiny bells, all in unison and harmony, +but with a range of at least four half-tones. The +tree-toads clinging here and there to leaves and flowers +throughout the jungle fill this whole region with the melody +of their chimes; striking the minutes as if with a thousand +tiny anvils, and only too often leading some enemy to their +hiding places.</p> + +<p>We woke at early dusk and climbing out upon the bow +of the tent-boat watched the coming of the tropical day. +The medley of fairy bells was still bravely ringing, but as the +dawn approached, the little nocturnal musicians ceased +tolling and the chorus died out with a few faint, final tinkles. +Six o’clock, and the sunshine upon the tree-tops brought a +burst of sound from the Woodhewers, a succession of twelve +to twenty loud, ringing tones in a rapidly descending scale—Canyon +Wren-like and taken up continuously from far and +near. The very tang and crispness of the early dawn +seemed to inspire the quality of their notes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_162"></a>[162]</span></p> + +<p>As soon as it was light, Swallows were seen in numbers, +small, dark steel-blue in color with a striking band of white +across the breast. These beautiful Banded Swallows<span class="bird"><a href="#bird118">118</a></span> +kept at first to two levels in the air; close to the water, fairly +skimming its surface, and high up above the tallest trees—marking +I suppose the early morning distribution of gnats +and other insects. Most delicate and fairy-like they appeared +when perched on some great orchid-hung dead branch protruding +from the water.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure075" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure075.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 75. Indian Boys in Dug-out.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We can find no adjectives to express the beauty and calm +of the cool, early morning on these tropical rivers. Myriads—untold +myriads—of leaves and branches surround us like +the lofty walls of a canyon. We have used the words wall in +this connection many times and no other word seems to be so +suitable. All sense of flatness is lost in the light of the dawn; +and instead we see these living walls now as infinitely softened; +but still the eye cannot penetrate the intricate tangle. Not a +breath of air stirs the smallest leaf. It is like the fairy river<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_163"></a>[163]</span> +of an enchanted country—all Nature quiet and resting—with +only the brown current ever slipping silently past, here +and there foam-flecked or bearing some tiny aquatic plant +with its rosette of downy leaves.</p> + +<p>Then,—the lush tropical nature rushing ever to extremes—comes +a deluge of virile life upon the scene. A great fish +leaps far upward, shattering the surface, pursued by a fierce, +brown-coated otter, almost as large as a man. A half dozen +green Parrots throb screaming past in pairs; two big Red-breasted +King-fishers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird67">67</a></span> spring from their perch and come +leaping toward us through the air, suddenly wheeling up +almost in a somersault and down like two meteors into the +water.</p> + +<p>We leave our bushy moorings at last and keep on up the +river with the tide, passing the English mission of Father +Carey-Elwis, which, like Farnum’s, is built on a hill, isolated +amid the great expanse of flat marshy jungle. A dozen +little naked Indian lads shriek in sheer excitement and rush +down to the water’s edge to watch us pass, peering fearfully +out from behind trees like little gnomes.</p> + +<p>From here on butterflies became very abundant; many +large Yellows and Oranges and Morphos of two kinds, one +altogether iridescent blue, the other blue and black. As +the little vocal messages of the tree-frogs are carried far and +wide through the jungle at night, so in the sunshine the +morphos, like heliographs of azure, flash silently from bend +to bend of the river. Conspicuous among the great Mora +and Purple-heart trees were the white-barked Silk Cottons. +Large yellow tubular blossoms and masses of purple pea +blooms tint the trees here and there.</p> + +<p>The Indians along the river were catching two kinds of +fish; one a silvery mullet about six inches long called Bashew, +and a catfish of the same size. The latter was most formidable +in appearance but actually harmless. Four slender<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_164"></a>[164]</span> +barbels of medium size depended from the lower jaw, while +two pigmented ones extended forward from the upper jaw +and were so long that when pressed back they reached to +the tail.</p> + +<p>Rain fell irregularly during the day, but so gently and so +softly that we hardly knew when it began and when it ended. +It never chilled but rather refreshed. About noon a third +migrational flocking of birds was noticed; seventy-two large +South American Black Hawks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird55">55</a></span> circling slowly around, +setting their wings after a while and sailing off to the west +as one bird.</p> + +<p>The action and reaction among the vegetation was often as +striking as among more active organisms. Where parasitic +aërial roots had descended seventy or eighty feet and touched +the water near shore, vines had somehow managed to reach +out and throw a tendril about the roots, take hold and climb +circle upon circle to the top. The palm trees alone of all the +forest growth seemed universally free from parasitic plants +and climbing vines.</p> + +<p>Above the mission, coincident with the increase of butterflies +and the appearance of occasional sand-banks, palm +trees disappeared without apparent reason. The river narrowed +as we ascended until it was only fifty yards across and +the bends increased in angle and number. Now and then +we passed a cut-off when the stream had cut through one of +its own bends and made a new bed for itself.</p> + +<p>A small opening in the wall of verdure was hailed as Hoorie +Creek and, dropping behind the launch, we were towed a +mile or more up its tortuous length, now and then running +aground or rather “atree,” as it was only thirty feet wide and +as sinuous as a serpent. We tied fast to a big overhanging +tree which marked the end of our journey by water and, all +excitement, leaped ashore.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_165"></a>[165]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.<br> +<span class="smaller">A GOLD MINE IN THE WILDERNESS.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>We loaded our tin canisters, clothing bags, guns and +cameras on a cart which was waiting and set out along +the bush trail, three and a half miles to the gold mine. The +trail led through a great swampy forest with a clear brook +occasionally crossing it, and for the sake of the wagon which +had to transport all supplies, it was corduroyed in the worst +places with small saplings or quartered trunks. We had all +donned cheap tennis shoes which proved on this and all later +occasions to be perfect footwear for the tropics. The rubber +soles allow one to obtain sure footing in slippery places and a +wetting matters nothing. If one walks far enough the shoes +dry on one’s feet, or at camp a new pair may be slipped on in +a moment and next day the old ones are none the worse for +the soaking. Here snake-proof and water-proof shoes are as +useless as they are uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>It was amusing to see how quickly the regard for mud and +water left even those of our party who were taking their first +dip into the real “bush.” For the first few yards all picked +their way carefully. There was even a pair of storm rubbers +leaving its checkered print on the forest mould! Then some +one stepped on the loose end of a corduroy sapling which +rose in air and fell with a sharp spat. Everyone dodged the +shower of mud and straightway went over ankles in water. +The cool fluid trickled between our toes and we all laughed +with relief. The rubbers found an early grave in the mud-hole +and we all strode happily along, wishing we had a hundred +eyes, to see all that was going on around and above us.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_166"></a>[166]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure076" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure076.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 76. Crossing a Stream on the Hoorie Jungle Road.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_167"></a>[167]</span></p> + +<p>A perfect medley of calls and cries came from the tree-tops +high overhead as we tramped along. In places the trees +were magnificent, looking like a maze of columns in some +great cathedral, roofed over with a lofty dome of foliage. +On this first walk the final impression was of a host of +strange sights and sounds, a few of which we were able +to disentangle on succeeding days. We had poured over +Waterton, Schomburgk and Bates but we realized anew the +utter futility of trying to reconstruct with pen and ink the +grandeur and beauty, and forever and always the mystery, +of a tropical forest.</p> + +<p>Then from the heart of the wilderness we came suddenly +upon man’s handiwork; the tiny, twenty acre clearing of +the gold mine. On the outskirts of the forest were the frail, +frond-roofed shelters which marked the homes of the Indians +and the rough mud and thatch huts of the black laborers. A +dam was thrown across the narrow valley and on the rim of +the jungle lake thus made, was the powerful electric engine. +This great thing of vibrating wheels and pistons seemed +strangely out of place in the wilderness. As we watched, it +seemed to take on a semblance of dull life. Stolid-faced, +naked Indians fed it vast quantities of cord wood, and in return +it sucked up a great pipeful of water from the lake. The +pipe lay quietly on trestles, winding up and around a low +hill out of sight, giving no hint of the terrific rush of water +within.</p> + +<p>Following the pipe line we turn a sudden corner on the +hill-top and the heart of the clearing lies at our feet. At the +end of the pipe, far below, a man stands, barely able to guide +and shift the mighty spout of water which gushes forth. +Half the hill has been torn away by the irresistible stream, +which shoots upward in a majestic column and dashes with +a roar against the cliff of clay and rubble. The ever-widening +gorge which the water has eaten into the hill glows in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_168"></a>[168]</span> +the sunlight with bright-colored strata. On each side the +red clay is dominant, while between runs the strip of pale +gray which holds the precious nuggets.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="figure077" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure077.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 77. The Wilderness Trail.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>It is an ochreous clay carrying free gold. The rock is +in place and perfectly decomposed to a depth of seventy-five +or one hundred feet. This decomposition is the result of +the constant infiltration of warm rains carrying carbonic<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_169"></a>[169]</span> +acid and humous acids from the rapidly decaying tropical +vegetation. Through the clay are scattered nodules of impure +limonite.</p> + +<p>In a tumbling, falling mass the muddy water washes back +upon its path, confined in a trough under the pipe, and as it +goes it gives up its yellow burden. As the grains and nuggets +drop to the bottom they touch the mercury and behold! to +the eye they are no longer gold but silver!</p> + +<p>As we had been impressed by the grandeur of the forest, +so we now began to see the romance of the wonderful gold +deep hidden beneath the centuries of jungle growth. Gold, +which we had known only in form of coin or ring, now +assumed a new beauty and meaning. Here, amid the great +trees, the beautiful birds and insects, the Indians as yet +unspoiled by civilization, one could thoroughly enjoy such +“money-making.” One hears of gold mines all one’s life, +but until one actually sees the metal taken from its resting +place where it has laid since the earth was young, the word +means but little.</p> + +<p>Beyond the golden gorge with the roaring “little giant” +ever filling it with spray, was a second hill topped with the +bungalow which we were to call home. Beyond this the +jungle began again.</p> + +<p>After a delicious shower-bath we slung our hammocks on +the veranda and sat on the hillside in the moonlight for an +hour or more, watching the night shift at work, one or two +men guiding the stream beneath flickering arc-lights, others +puddling the down rushing torrent. Just beneath us in the +dark shadow of a bush lay the coolie night watchman, with +the inscrutable face of his race, keeping watch over the long, +snaky flume, at the bottom of which the quicksilver was +ever engulfing the precious metal.</p> + +<p>Later we slept the dreamless hammock sleep of the tropics, +lulled by the dull droning roar of the water dashing against<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_170"></a>[170]</span> +the clay—a sound which echoed through the jungle and +gained in volume until we drowsily knew we were listening to +the howling of the red baboons. Even this invasion of man +merged harmoniously with the sounds of the wilderness.</p> + +<h4>LIFE ABOUT THE BUNGALOW.</h4> + +<p>We remained at Hoorie just seven days—only long enough +to begin to look beneath the surface and realize what a +veritable wonderland it was for scientist or nature lover.</p> + +<p>On the last day of our stay we wrote in our journal; +“Hoorie is a perfect health resort; temperature good<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a>; no +mosquitoes; food excellent; splendid place for laboratory +work; interesting insect life superabundant; birds and lizards +abundant; snakes rare; perai, electric eels and manatees +in the creek; peccary, deer, red howlers, armadillos, sloths +and ant-eaters within short distance of bungalow.” What +more could be asked?</p> + +<p>The bungalow was a well-built house with wide veranda, +perched on the cleared summit of a low hill sloping +evenly in all directions; the thick bush and shrubby undergrowth +beginning about one hundred feet down the hillside.</p> + +<p>We shall not attempt to describe or even mention the many +varieties of creatures which haunted the clearing, but leaving +these for our scientific reports, we shall speak only of those +which are especially interesting.</p> + +<p>When one enters a vast forested wilderness such as this, +and makes a good-sized clearing, the inmates of the forest +are bound to be affected. The most timid ones flee at the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_171"></a>[171]</span> +first stroke of the axe; others, swayed by curiosity, return +again and again to watch the interlopers. A third class, +learning somehow of the new settlement, come post haste +and make themselves at home. These are chiefly birds, +which, seldom or never found living in the heart of the jungle, +are as keen as Vultures to spy out a new clearing. They +must follow the canoes and trail, else it is impossible to +imagine how they learn of new outposts—whether a simple +Indian hammock shelter and cassava field, or a great commercial +undertaking such as this gold mine.</p> + +<p>To begin with the birds, the Hoorie clearing possessed +two pairs of Blue,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird143">143</a></span> three pairs of Palm,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird144">144</a></span> and five pairs of +Silverbeak<span class="bird"><a href="#bird146">146</a></span> Tanagers, besides six Blue-backed Seedeaters.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird131">131</a></span> +None of these are forest birds and all nest in brushy places.</p> + +<p>The Blue Tanagers are clad in delicate, varying shades of +pale blue; the Palm Tanagers in dull olive green, but both +make up in noisy sibilant cries what they lack in color. The +Silverbeaks are beautiful, shading from rich wine color to +black, and with conspicuous silvery blue beaks. The little +Seedeaters were the most familiar birds about the bungalow, +coming to the steps to feed on fallen seeds.</p> + +<p>One of the first things which caught our eye were several +brilliantly iridescent green birds, insect-catching, among the +brush near the house. These were Paradise Jacamars,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird85">85</a></span> +and they had their homes in the clay banks of the rivulets, +deep buried in the narrow valleys which abounded in the +forest.</p> + +<p>Each bird had two or more favorite twigs. When bug-hunting +flagged at one post they flew with a long swoop to the +second point of vantage. Our assistant, Crandall, observing +this, laid a limed twig across the lookout perch and in a short +time had caught two male birds. Their mates called loudly +for a time, then disappeared. Before night both had returned +with new mates, which we left in peace.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_172"></a>[172]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure078" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure078.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 78. Engine House and Flume of Hoorie Gold Mine.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_173"></a>[173]</span></p> + +<p>They were tame and allowed us to approach within eight +or ten feet before flying to their alternate perches. Their +feet are small and weak and they have a hunched up look +as they perch in wait, turning the head rapidly in every +direction and now and then swooping like a flash after some +tiny insect, engulfing it with a loud snap of the mandibles. +Their call-note is a sharp, repeated <i>pip! pip! pip! pip!</i></p> + +<p>These birds welcome the clearing, as it means an increased +supply of insect food. They learn the value even of the +opening made by the fall of a single tree deep in the jungle, +and here and elsewhere we noticed that a single pair of Jacamars +would keep busy day after day in the patch of sunlight +let in by the death of some forest giant. Jacamars +form a rather compact group of some twenty species; in +habit like Flycatchers; in appearance and nest like Kingfishers, +but in structure more closely related to Toucans and +Woodpeckers.</p> + +<p>Even in the short time which we spent at Hoorie we learned +to expect a regular daily movement on the part of many of +the birds. Early each morning a flock of about a dozen +splendid Jays worked slowly around the edge of the clearing, +at last disappearing behind the bungalow into the woods. +In the north this would not be an unusual sight, but it must +be remembered that members of the Jay family, like the +Wood Warblers, are rarely seen in the tropics. Crows and +Ravens are entirely absent from South America, and but two +species of Jays find their way into British Guiana.</p> + +<p>Our Hoorie birds were Lavender Jays<span class="bird"><a href="#bird161">161</a></span> and although so +far from the home of their family they were no whit the less +Jay-like. They constantly hailed each other with a varied +vocabulary of harsh cries and calls, and now and then held +a morsel of food between the toes and pounded it vigorously. +They flapped but seldom, passing with short sailing flights +from branch to branch not far from the ground.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_174"></a>[174]</span></p> + +<p>At night they returned rather more rapidly—less absorbed +in feeding—probably to some roosting place of which they +alone knew. With them, night and morning, were a few +Red-backed Bunyahs or Cassiques,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird152">152</a></span> early nesters from the +colony at the dam, of which more anon. The two species +seemed to associate closely, although it was evident that it +was the Bunyahs which had taken up with the sturdy pioneers +from the North.</p> + +<p>A short distance away from the bungalow a huge Mora +stood in the forest looking down on all the trees around. +The lightning bolt which had torn off its bark and killed it, +had also consumed its dense clothing of parasitic vines and +bush-ropes. So now it stood with naked, clean wood high +above the sea of foliage, and within a day after our arrival we +had christened it the Toucan Mora.</p> + +<p>In the evening, about on the stroke of seven, the first comers +would arrive—a trio of Black-banded Aracaris<span class="bird"><a href="#bird84">84</a></span> which +alight and preen their feathers. These may remain quiet for +about twenty minutes, but more often take to flight at the +approach of a screaming flock of eight or ten Mealy Amazon +Parrots<span class="bird"><a href="#bird63">63</a></span> which scatter over the branches. But the other +species of Toucans are now awake and soon the Parrots are +in turn driven off, and four or five big-billed fellows usurp +the dead Mora and sun themselves or call loudly to the Vultures +swinging high overhead. There are two species of these +larger Toucans, the Red-billed<span class="bird"><a href="#bird81">81</a></span> and the Sulphur and White-breasted,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird82">82</a></span> +and they seem to live together amicably, but war +with the small Aracaris. The notes of the Red-billed Toucans +are like the yapping of a puppy, uttered in pairs and differing +slightly, thus, <i>yap! yip! yap! yip!</i> The great mandibles +are opened and thrown upward at each utterance. The +brilliant white-breasted birds call loudly <i>kiok! kiok!</i> in a high, +shrill tone very unlike that of their fellows.</p> + +<p>Morning and evening the Toucans and Parrots pass,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_175"></a>[175]</span> +always alighting on the dead Mora, while during the day we +detect them deep in the jungle, feeding in the tops of the +trees and sending down to us their calls, <i>yap!</i>, <i>kiok!</i> or +<i>squawk!</i> as the case may be.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure079" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure079.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 79. The “Little Giant” at Work.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>A fourth species, the Red-breasted Toucan<span class="bird"><a href="#bird83">83</a></span> was occasionally +seen high in the tree tops. These birds had two distinct +utterances, one a frog-like croak, and the other a double-toned +shrill cry, the two tones being B and B# above middle C.</p> + +<p>Early in the evenings, about six o’clock, all the Banded Swallows<span class="bird"><a href="#bird118">118</a></span> +of the surrounding region passed overhead in a dense +flock, two or three hundred in all, soaring with a steady, half-sailing +flight very different from the dashing swoops which +carry them over the lake when feeding during the day. Now +they are headed northward to some safe roosting place and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_176"></a>[176]</span> +with no thought of passing gnats. The myriads of graceful, +glossy blue forms, each crossed on the breast with a band of +white, made a most beautiful sight. In the morning their +return flight was by twos and threes, with rapid darts here and +there. Hunger now permitted no dressing of ranks or close +formation. During the day none were to be seen about the +bungalow, but only on the lake or along the creek bed. The +unfortunate gnats which hummed in the bungalow clearing +were attended to by the little Feather-toed Palm Swifts,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird71">71</a></span> +which were most abundant.</p> + +<p>Among the hosts of smaller birds which haunted the tree-tops +at the edge of the clearing, the Black-faced Green Grosbeaks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird135">135</a></span> +were especially noticeable. In color they reminded +one of immature male Orchard Orioles, being yellowish +green with black throat and face. They fed morning and +evening on the reddish berries of a great vine which ripened +its fruit in the tree-tops, and here their song was repeated +over and over, a rattling buzz, like the rapid stroke of a +stick along the palings of a fence, followed by three liquid, +whip-like notes, thus:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music1" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music1.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music1.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music1.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The buzz part of the song also +did duty as the call-note.</p> + +<p>Once or twice each day we would be treated to a glimpse +of the wonderful Pompadour Cotingas.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird116">116</a></span> A flock of four +male birds would flash overhead and swing up to some lofty +perch, wary, silent, but of exquisite color. The whole body +was of a brilliant reddish purple—rich wine color—with +wings of purest white. Silhouetted against the blue sky +as they were perched close together, they might have been +Starlings or Blackbirds as far as color went, but when they +all shot off into the air and showed up against the green +leaves they fairly blazed—the yellow eyes, the scintillating +purple plumage, and the dazzling white wings. The last +flash of the wings before they were folded out of sight was a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_177"></a>[177]</span> +most efficient protection as it seemed to hold the vision, so +that several moments elapsed before the perching bird itself +could be located.</p> + +<p>The sombre, ashy females were not observed; certainly +they never joined in the flights with the quartet of males. +In the latter sex, a half dozen or more of the greater wing +coverts are stiffened and the webs curved around almost into +little tubes. We know practically nothing of the wild habits +of the Pompadour Cotinga but a most remarkable thing about +the color is that, by the application of a little heat, it turns +from deep reddish purple to pale yellow. It is rather interesting +to compare this with the changing of the Purple +Finch from rose-red to yellowish in captivity. The Chatterers +or Cotingas form one of the most interesting tropical +families of birds, and we lost no opportunity of studying +closely all which we observed. At Hoorie, beside the Pompadour +Cotingas we saw the Black-tailed Tityra.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird113">113</a></span> In Mexico +we had seen a closely related species and here again were the +strange “Frog-birds,” with a little more black on the cap +and tail.</p> + +<p>We first observed a pair near the colony of Red-backed +Bunyahs in the creek bed, but as we were leaving the bungalow +for the last time, our farewell was made all the harder +by discovering that the Tityras had begun to nest in a small +dead stub standing alone in the centre of the vegetable garden +and not twenty yards from the bungalow.</p> + +<p>The birds were having a hard time of it, carrying stiff, four-inch +twigs into a three-inch hole, but they were succeeding, +showing that they knew better than to hold the twig by the +centre. The whole head to below the eyes and including the +upper nape was black, while the bare skin of the face and the +basal two-thirds of the beak were bright red. The male was +uniformly pale bluish white, while his mate was distinguished +by many rather faint streaks of black on the breast, +sides, and under parts. Both birds alternated in carrying +the nesting material and in arranging it, remaining silent +as long as we watched them. The nesting stub was about +six inches in diameter and the hole thirty feet above the +ground.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_178"></a>[178]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure080" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure080.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 80. Carib Hunter and His Children at Hoorie.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_179"></a>[179]</span></p> + +<p>These birds lack the bright hues of most of their relatives, +but have the family trait of possessing some queer trick of +plumage. While the first flight feather of the wing is perfectly +normal, measuring about three and a half inches in length, the +second is a mere parody of a feather, tapering to a point and +reaching a length of less than two inches. Only the true +lover of birds will realize what an effort it took to tear ourselves +away from this pair of birds, whose eggs and young +appear to be as yet undescribed.</p> + +<p>Two Marail Guans<span class="bird"><a href="#bird6">6</a></span> and a Trumpeter<span class="bird"><a href="#bird25">25</a></span> were interesting inmates +of the hen-yard and made no effort to escape, although +they were full-winged and had the run of the clearing. The +Trumpeter went to roost each night at 5.30 as punctually as +if he had a watch under his wing. He slept standing on one +leg, resting on the first joints of his front toes, his head +drawn back behind his wing.</p> + +<p>Often on our walks we would come across an Indian hut, +so hidden away in the depths of the dense forest that its +discovery was merely a matter of chance. Most of these +huts consisted simply of four poles covered by the rudest +sort of a palm-thatched roof. The house furnishing was as +primitive as the house itself—a hammock for each member +of the family; varying in size in proportion to that of their +owners, like the chairs of the historic nursery characters—the +“Three Bears.” One or two calabashes or gourds, +several hand-woven baskets of cassava bread, some strips of +dried fish and a smoky fire completed the picture.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_180"></a>[180]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure081" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure081.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 81. Three Generations of Carib Indians.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_181"></a>[181]</span></p> + +<p>The entire domestic life of these Indian establishments +went on perfectly openly and quite unaffected by our curious +scrutiny. We rarely saw the Indian men at home; they +were off hunting, or fishing, or perhaps employed by the +mine as woodcutters. The women were always busy, cooking, +planting cassava, spinning cotton, weaving hammocks +and baskets and bead aprons, necklaces and bracelets. We +could never resist the temptation to stop and make friends +with them. The gift of a cigarette won their hearts and we +invariably found them very gentle and kindly. Their costumes +were extraordinary. Those who had been presented +with the garments of civilization proudly wore them, though +they were nothing more than short, loose slips. But the +majority wore their native dress—consisting chiefly of beads; +certainly far more healthful and suitable for them than the +unaccustomed clothing given them by the missionaries. The +children were lovable little pieces of bronze, very smooth +and glossy. They would often come softly up and slip their +small hands in ours, looking up at us with shy wonder.</p> + +<p>In one of the huts we watched with amusement the wee-est +of Indian girls trying to drive away a huge rooster who was +pervading the hut. The child could not have been more than +two years old—but she was already thoroughly feminine, +waving her small arms valiantly at the intruder and then +running away terrified to bury her head in her mother’s +hammock, until she could summon courage for another +attack upon the enemy.</p> + +<p>As time went on and news of our arrival spread, Indians +from huts far distant in the forest made expeditions to come +and look at us; as curious about us as was the small boy +living up on the Essequibo River who saved up his “bits” +and took a long journey down the river to see a horse. He +had heard that there were such creatures but he wished +to investigate for himself. So tours were made to see us and +we were inspected by wondering eyes to whom white women +were as strange as were horses to the little “bush” lad.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_182"></a>[182]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure082" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure082.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 82. Mr. Wilshire and Crandall with Dead Bushmaster.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_183"></a>[183]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure083" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure083.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 83. The Terrible Bushmaster.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_184"></a>[184]</span></p> + +<p>One day at the bungalow we found a group of Indian +children gathered about the door of the modern bathroom +which Mr. Wilshire had had fitted up. It was all a great +puzzle to the little dwellers in the forest. To amuse them +we took them in and turned on and off the shower bath, trying +to explain what it was, but all to no purpose. To them +a bath meant “me wash skin in river”; while the shower-bath +was merely an interesting scientific phenomenon—the +mysterious white beings were making rain at their own will!</p> + +<p>We were disappointed at not getting more photographs of +the Indians. Their prejudice against being photographed +is a deep-rooted superstition. They feel that it gives you a +superhuman power over them. Indians often ran like deer +through the woods when we pointed the camera at them +and it was only by passing around candy to those who came +to the bungalow and so diverting their attention from the +dreaded camera, that we secured any pictures at all.</p> + +<p>We encountered but one poisonous serpent, and that one +by proxy. A big bushmaster or couanacouchi, all but dead, +was brought to the house one day by an Indian who had +speared it. It had been found coiled up on the forest leaves +and was so like them in color that the Indian had nearly +trod upon it. Although we searched thoroughly we could +never find a second specimen.</p> + +<h4>A DAY IN THE JUNGLE NEAR HOORIE.</h4> + +<p>The region about Hoorie consists chiefly of small but +steep hills, some isolated with a few hundred yards of flat +land about them, others close together and separated by +deep, narrow valleys with running water at the bottom. All +drain into Hoorie Creek which from the mine clearing runs +in a fairly straight direction through flat, marshy land to the +Barama River up which we had come. The whole country +is, of course, completely covered with a thick forest, of good-sized<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_185"></a>[185]</span> +trees, which are heavily draped with vines and parasitic +plants, although these are not dense enough to shut out the +sunlight. Thus in many places a heavy undergrowth is +found, making it difficult to get about, while the steep ascents +and equally precipitous descents into the numerous intersecting +valleys make extended exploration an arduous task, +especially in the directions away from Hoorie Creek. But +in this land of superabundant life, one needs but a short +walk to fill one’s note-book with interesting facts. Let us +spend a day in the jungle.</p> + +<p>In light marching order, with glasses and note-books only, +we started out in the direction of the great pit of golden gravel, +and finding Nasua, the coolie, we persuaded him to pan a +few shovelfuls of earth from the surface of the ground within +reach of the spray of the water spouting up towards us.</p> + +<p>It was fascinating to watch his slender deft fingers and +his skilful manipulation of the gold pan. Filling it to overflowing +with gray or red clay, he half sank it beneath the +surface of a little pool and began rocking and turning it. +Soon the large pebbles were all eliminated and only a muddy +sediment left. This was washed and revolved until there +seemed nothing but clear water, when as the last dirt was +flowed over the rim there came the flash of the golden grains. +Pressing his fingers on these, the pan was reversed for a +moment, and then dipping his finger tips in the clear water of +our glass vial the yellow grains sank swiftly to the bottom. +Sometimes only a half penny’s worth would reward us, while +again as much as a shilling’s value would be shown.</p> + +<p>Passing over the ridge we saw before us a deep and very +narrow valley with precipitous sides, down which we slid and +crawled, hanging on to vines and saplings to break our descent. +At the bottom we found an interesting advance in the +evolution of gold mining over the simplest form of gold panning. +Two blacks were operating a “Long Tom,” which in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a>[186]</span> +mining vernacular is the name for a six by two, heavy, coarse, +metal sieve set obliquely in the channel of a small brook. +The gold-bearing gravel and clay is shovelled into it and puddled +with a hoe, and the gold settles to the bottom to be later +panned. Thus division of labor enters in—one black +shovelling while his partner puddles. We asked them how +much they were getting out and, as usual, they said “almost +nothing,” or a few shillings’ worth at the most! This was +to avoid any danger of their tiny holdings being considered +too valuable and taken away from them. Mr. Wilshire took +a pan here on another day and unearthed a tiny nugget, +worth perhaps two shillings, much to the blacks’ discomfiture, +who hastened to explain that such an opulent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_187"></a>[187]</span> +find was indeed rare. The poor fellows at best make little +enough and it was pitiful to see the tiny packets of gold dust +which they brought to the company’s store at the end of the +week to exchange for food or credit checks. The universal +Guianan name for this type of independent miner is “pork-knocker,” +the explanation being that by knocking the rocks +to pieces, they find just enough gold to procure the pork upon +which they live.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp67" id="figure084" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure084.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 84. Panning Gold.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>They are allowed to work on side streams near the large +mining operations, their total taking of gold being relatively +insignificant, while they sometimes locate valuable deposits +in the course of their wanderings. They are a jolly, happy-go-lucky +type, apparently careless of their luck and invariably +optimistic of the future.</p> + +<p>A naturalist would find it difficult to keep his attention +fixed on “Pan” or “Long Tom” in this narrow glade, for +great iridescent blue morpho butterflies are floating about +everywhere among the lights and shadows. From some tall +trees a continual shower of whirling objects are falling, some +white, others purple. Catching one we find it to be a narrow +petaled, five parted, star-like blossom (<i>Petræa arborea</i>), +weighted by a slender stem. When thrown up into the air +they revolve like horizontal pin-wheels, falling slowly and +forming a most remarkable rain of color. Forcing our +way up the opposite slope and on through the underbrush +we come out on the corduroy road half a mile from the +mine.</p> + +<p>As a corduroy sapling turns and splashes the water under +foot, a cloud of orange and white butterflies arises and +scatters through the woods. Suddenly through the warm +damp stillness there rings out a piercing, three-syllabled cry, +which was to become for us the vocal spirit of the Guiana +wilderness. Day after day we heard it wherever the unbroken +primeval forest reigned, but never near the haunts of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_188"></a>[188]</span> +man. This, with the roar of the red baboon and the celestial +theme of the Quadrille Bird, forms the trilogy most cherished +in our memory of all the Guiana sounds.</p> + +<p>We are listening to the call of the Gold or Greenheart +Bird,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird115">115</a></span> another member of the Cotingas or Chatterers, +which is as remarkable for its voice as it is lacking in brilliant +colors. Loud as the call is, it is very ventriloquil and difficult +to locate. When directly beneath the sound it seems to +come from the tops of the highest trees, a hundred feet up, +whereas in all probability the bird is not more than twenty-five +feet above our heads. It sits motionless but the violence +of its utterance makes the whole branch vibrate. We soon +learn that to search and find the bird directly is impossible, +but by letting the eyes take in as large a field as possible, +the vibration from the vocal effort is easily discernible.</p> + +<p>The male Goldbird is uniformly ashy or slate-colored, +slightly darker above, very Solitaire-like both in color and +size. The female is distinguished by a shade of rufous on the +wing-coverts and the tips of the flight feathers. With such +coloring it is not strange that the bird becomes invisible amid +the dark shadows of the lower branches.</p> + +<p>The natives know this bird as the <i>Pe-pe-yo</i> from its call, +and Goldbird from the fact that all pork-knockers believe +it is never found far from deposits of gold; while the theory +that it usually utters its call from a greenheart tree accounts +for its third name.</p> + +<p>Its note is typical of our American tropics, where highly +developed song is rare, but single loud, metallic or liquid +syllables are the rule. The bird has two introductory +phrases which heretofore seem to have escaped the notice of +observers. Indeed, until one noticed the invariable sequence +of the two sets of notes, it would never be suspected that they +proceeded from the same bird. The introductory phrases +are low and muffled and yet have considerable carrying power.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_189"></a>[189]</span> +They possess the indescribable vibrating chord-like quality +of the Veery’s song which defies all description. Musically +they may be written thus:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music2" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music2.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music2.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music2.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Almost instantly follow the three notes of the call or song. +They are of tremendous strength and exceedingly liquid and +piercing. The nearest imitation is to whistle the syllables +<i>wheé! wheé! o!</i> as loudly as possible. We never tire of +listening. The bird overhead calls so loudly that our ears +tingle; another answers, then a third and a fourth, far away +in the dim recesses of the forest.</p> + +<p>Many miles inland near the wonderful plateau of Roraima +lives another species of Goldbird, similar to ours except for +a bright rosy pink collar around the neck. We saw nothing +of this beautiful Cotinga, but one of the Goldbirds which we +secured had a distinct but irregular collar of rufous, hinting +of a not distant relationship.</p> + +<p>A short distance along the corduroy road we came upon a +half dozen naked Indians cutting away underbush, preparatory +to making a new road bed. It was a delight to watch +their sinewy bodies bend and strain, moving here and there +through the thorns and sharp twigs with never a scratch. +They came across many curious creatures among the rotting +trunks and leaf mould, and when they learned we were interested, +they would tie their captives with liana threads, or +imprison them in clever leaf boxes, and save them for us. +The most weird looking of these were gigantic whip scorpions +or pedipalp spiders (<i>Admetus pumilio</i>) like brobdignagian +daddy-long-legs, which crawled painfully about on their +slender legs and never showed an inclination to bite. They<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a>[190]</span> +were of great size, stretching some eight and a half inches +across. The three hinder pairs of legs were normal and used +for walking, while the fourth pair was attenuated and functioned +as feelers—the “whips”—measuring full ten inches +in length. The jaws were most terrible organs, three inches +long, dove-tailed with wicked spines, while the tips ended in +villainous fangs.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp52" id="figure085" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure085.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 85. Whip Scorpion or Pedipalp Spider.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>A few hundred yards farther we came to a small clearing +where the squaws were cooking dinner. The houses of these +happy people are of the simplest construction. Four poles +support a roof covered with loose palm thatch, open on all<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_191"></a>[191]</span> +sides. The hammocks are hung beneath this and an open +fire is built in the centre. The Guiana Indians are unequalled +exponents of the simple life.</p> + +<p>In the deep jungle we are constantly impressed with the +straightness of all the trunks. The lianas and bush-ropes +may be scalloped or spiral, or with a multitude of little steps +like the Monkey Ladder, and still easily reach the life-giving +light high overhead. But the trees can afford no bends or +curves or gnarly trunks; they rise like temple columns. +Cell must be on cell, each to aid in the life race upward. +There are seldom high winds here in this great calm hot-house. +Everywhere between the great trunks—whitish +in the Crabwood, smoothed and noded in the Congo Pump, +and deeply fluted in the Paddlewoods—between all these +mast-like forms, are draped the slender ratline threads and +cables of the aërial rigging.</p> + +<p>We seat ourselves on a prostrate trunk free of scorpions, +at one side of the corduroy road, and watch and listen. +Beside us on a tiny, dull red Mora sprout, eating voraciously +is a caterpillar, branched and rebranched with a maze of +nettle-hairs, while near it is another—a fuzzy fellow—who +gives us one of the most unexpected surprises of the whole +trip. As we first see him he is palest lavender in color, +covered with long straight hairs, longer than those of our +familiar black and brown woolly bear caterpillar of the north. +Five minutes later we look again and see a third caterpillar—or +no, it is the second one, but remarkably changed—a creature +flat and immovable, covered with a score of recurved +pink tufts of curled hair. The caterpillar chameleon has +flattened his longer pelage of lavender into a thin line of +prostrate down, bringing into view the recurved pink tufts, +and thus has become an entirely different object, both as +to shape, color and pattern. There must be a special set of +muscles controlling these hairs. Even if a bird had appetite<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_192"></a>[192]</span> +to digest such an unsavory hirsute object, it would well be +dismayed at the transformation.</p> + +<p>Everywhere we observe examples of protective form or +coloration. On the under side of a branch in front of us +are what appear to be many tufts of blackish moss—until +we brush against some of it and a few of the tufts resolve +into dense bunches of caterpillars. Others which we touch +on purpose to see if they be caterpillars or not, deceive us +doubly by retaining their vegetable character.</p> + +<p>On the ground at our feet are scattered seed sheaths which +have fallen from the branches high overhead. There are +myriads of them. Suddenly one takes legs to itself and +moves and only after examining it closely do we know it for +a beautiful brown elater, a beetle (<i>Semiotus ligneus</i>) embossed +with pale ivory—a perfect living counterpart of the arboreal +seed sheaths strewn all about. Words completely fail to +give an idea of the wonder and delight of having one’s senses +set at naught by these devices of nature. After being taken +in by several, we imagine we see them everywhere in innocent +leaves or bit of lichens!</p> + +<p>Many travellers—Wallace and Bates among them—speak +often of the scarcity of flowers in the tropics, but here +at Hoorie and on our later expeditions we were hardly ever out +of sight of blossoms. A few feet behind us, as we sit on the log, +are two Solomon-seal-like plants (<i>Castus</i> sp.) eighteen inches +high, with the stem and leaves growing in a wide ascending +spiral—making one revolution throughout its course. A sheaf +of flower heads appears at the top of the plant with a single +white open flower, giving forth the sweetest perfume. Bell-shaped, +it is formed by a single sweeping petal, the edges +apposed along the summit, and the mouth rimmed with the +finest hair-like fringe. The slit in the upper part is protected +by a second narrow petal recurved at the tip, showing the +heart within. Such a blossom would be a splendid addition<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_193"></a>[193]</span> +to our conservatories, and a vast harvest awaits the grower +of tropical plants other than orchids.</p> + +<p>Now, the morning half gone, rain falls—a gentle mist, +light as dew, refreshing and pleasant.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp71" id="figure086" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure086.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 86. A Jungle Blossom.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Through the drops to the blossom comes a great morpho +butterfly of blue tinsel, soon followed by a big yellow papilio. +A tiny white butterfly, bordered with black, dashes up and +attacks the papilio with fury, driving it away, as a Kingbird +vanquishes a Hawk.</p> + +<p>Just as we are about to arise, a Goldbird calls in the +distance and then without warning a beautiful song rings +out close at hand—six or eight clear descending notes like +the early morning chant of the Woodhewer, but even more<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_194"></a>[194]</span> +liquid, running together at the last into a maze of warbling +which continues for eight or ten seconds—then ceases, and +the liquid notes form an exquisite finalé of a trio of sweet +phrases. The singer is invisible; we never learn what it is, +but it deserves a place near the head of the songsters even +of temperate climes. As we walk along, Toucans and other +birds fly high overhead with whirring beats of their drenched +wings. Woodhewers loop from trunk to trunk and peer at us +as we pass, while Ant-birds fly here and there. In all our +tramps through thick jungles, these two latter families are +in the majority, the former hitching up the trunks like brown +Woodpeckers of various sizes, the latter simulating Wrens, +Warblers and Sparrows in action and often in voice.</p> + +<p>One, a White-shouldered Pygmy Ant-bird,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird91">91</a></span> now flits ahead +of us, tiny as a Wren, slate-colored, with white dots on +the lesser coverts of the wings and a dotted bar across the +wings. The flanks and under wings are white and although +ordinarily concealed, yet the little fellow flirts his wings every +second, thus flashing out the color, and making himself most +conspicuous. His call-note is low and inarticulate, but he +occasionally lisps a pleasing little song; <i>chu! chu! chúwee!</i></p> + +<p>We enter a deep narrow gully, our feet sinking deep in moss +and mould, trip over a hidden root and, looking back, see +a magnificent rhinoceros beetle which we have disturbed, +feebly kicking his six legs in the air. In these deep valleys +the air is saturated with reeking odors—woody, spicy and +mouldy and altogether delightful. Moss grows on the +stems of the plants like wide radiating fans of delicate green +lace. In these places we find the commonest palms which +grow near Hoorie—stemless, with fronds springing fern-like +from the ground.</p> + +<p>Leaving the vicinity of the trail we start out through the +heart of the jungle, keeping by compass in a general northwest +direction. Here the trees increase in size and grow<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_195"></a>[195]</span> +almost thirty feet apart, the intervening space being filled +with lesser growth, parasitic lianas and huge ferns eight to +twelve feet in height, tree-ferns in size but not in mode of +growth.</p> + +<p>The rain now increases and we plod happily along +drenched to the skin, giving ourselves up to the delight of a +walk in a tropical downpour. Serenely oblivious of pools and +dripping branches, we trudge along until finally a tacuba +over a creek breaks with our weight and we splash in up to +our waists. Indeed we had long ago become accustomed to +such drenchings, for during our stay at Hoorie the days were +alternate sunshine and shower. In starting out for a long +tramp we never thought of taking any protection against the +rain. The only thing to be shielded was the precious camera. +What matters a wetting when one is perfectly dressed for +whatever may happen!</p> + +<p>A word must be said here from the woman’s point of +view about the costume which was adopted as being absolutely +suited to the bush life. In the first place it was light—so +light that one never felt the burden of a single superfluous +ounce of weight, and when thus freed from the drag of heavy +clothing one would come in unfatigued from tramps which +would have been impossible for a woman in orthodox dress, +no matter how short the skirt. But in the light khaki +knickerbockers, loose negligee shirts of scotch flannel or +fibrous cellular cloth, stockings and tennis shoes and a water-proof +felt hat, one was ready for anything. If soaked by a +sudden downpour, a few minute’s walk in the sun would dry +one; if walking difficult tacubas, or clambering over huge +fallen trees, of which there were any number throughout the +forest, or climbing precipitous and slippery hills one was +never hampered by unsuitable dress.</p> + +<p>Of course there are many wildernesses where it is unnecessary +for a woman to wear knickerbockers and where there is no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_196"></a>[196]</span> +reason why she should defy public prejudice by doing so; +but the woman who attempts to tramp through the South +American jungle will find that safety and comfort make +them absolutely essential.</p> + +<p>One realized as never before with what handicaps woman +has tried to follow the footsteps of man; with the result that +physical exhaustion has robbed her of all the joys of life in +the open.</p> + +<p>Returning to our day in the jungle; we tramped silently +over the sodden ground, now and then sending some +panic-stricken Macaw or Parrot screeching from its roost. +After an hour the rain ceased and the sun shone brightly, but +where we were, many yards beneath the vast mat of tree-top +foliage, only single spots and splashes of light broke the solid +shadows. For a long distance we trod silently on deep +mould and moss, and not a sound of beast or bird broke the +stillness. As we crossed a swirling creek on the trunk of a +mighty fallen tree, something fluttered ahead. We could +not see what it was. Closer we came and still the object +remained indistinct; we seemed to see a butterfly and yet it +appeared impossible. At last we marked it down on a +fern frond and crept up until our eyes were within two feet. +Nothing was visible but the graceful lacery of the frond, +until a slanting beam of sunlight struck it and there, close +before us, was the ghost of a butterfly! It spread fully three +inches but was wholly transparent save for three tiny spots +of azure near the edge of the hind wings (<i>Haetera piera</i>). +As we looked, it drifted to a double-headed flower of scarlet, +and when it alighted, the scarlet of the flower and the green +of the leaf were as distinct as if seen through thin mica, +while the faint gray haze of the insect’s wings were marked +only by the indistinct veination. The appearance of this +ghostly butterfly amid the silence and awe-inspiring stillness +of the reeking jungle was most impressive.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="butterfly" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/butterfly.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_197"></a>[197]</span></p> + +<p>Then came an interruption, so sudden and unrelenting +that it seemed to reach to the very heart of nature. A Red +“Baboon” raised his voice less than fifty yards away, and +even the leaves seemed to tremble with the violence of the +outburst of sound. A long, deep, rasping, vibrating roar, +followed by a guttural inhalation hardly less powerful. After +a dozen connected roars and inbreathings the sound descended +to a slow crescendo, almost died away and then +broke out with renewed force.</p> + +<p>We crept swiftly toward the sound, treading as softly as +possible and soon, in a high bulletwood, we saw three of the +big red monkeys. The male passed on out of sight, and +the second, a medium-sized animal, followed. The third +was a mother with her baby clinging tightly to her back. +She climbed slowly, showing her rich light golden red fur +and beard, while the arms and legs of her dark-furred +baby were revealed as lines of darker color around her +body.</p> + +<p>Twenty minutes later we stalked another roaring male, and +found four in this troop. We saw two of the females giving +voice with the leader, shrill falsettos which became audible +only during the less deafening inspiration.</p> + +<p>We tried to think of a simile for the voice of this monkey +and could only recur to that which always came to mind—the +roar of wind, ushering in a cyclone or terrific gale. And +yet there was ever present to the ear the feeling of something +living—as if mingled with the elemental roar was the howl +of a male jaguar. No sound ever affected us quite as this; +seeming always to prestige some unnamed danger. While +it lasted, the sense of peace which had been inspired by the +calmness and silence of the jungle gave place to a hidden +portent of evil. Yet we loved it, and the savage delight +which we took in this and other wilderness sounds made +our pulses leap.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_198"></a>[198]</span></p> + +<h4>THE DROWNED FOREST.</h4> + +<p>At the engine house a ten foot dam had been thrown across +the Hoorie Creek bed, and the apparently slight cause had +brought about wide reaching effects; this slight raising of the +water throwing back the creek in many directions. One +could hardly call it a lake as there was no wide body of water, +and yet it had a shore line of more than ten miles, reaching +out a long finger-like extension up every side valley. The +original creek was only a few feet wide and the jungle grew +down to the very bank. So now the trees were deep under +water.</p> + +<p>All which were below the new level were dead, standing +like an array of tall bare ghosts compared to the luxuriant +forest all about. When on a rise of ground, one could trace +the course of the lake by the lines of naked branches. And +when steering one’s canoe between the leafless trunks, the +effect was most startling. The sunlight came through in a +way different from any tropical forest. Every leaf had +fallen, leaving the trees as bare as in a northern winter and +stripping the vines and bush-ropes, but the condition of the +parasites and air-plants was most interesting. All those +which were truly parasitic, living on the life-sap of their +hosts, were of course also dead, but the orchids and other +air-plants were flourishing—showing as large tufts or +sprays of light green here and there. In places the branches +had a beaded effect, so numerous and yet so isolated were +the epiphytes.</p> + +<p>We drifted silently along, by the impetus of a touch of the +paddle on a passing trunk. Orchids were in blossom, and +ferns, mosses and lichens ran riot in orange, brown and +ivory patches on the tree-trunks. Muricots and the fierce +perai were abundant here, and now and then some fish +broke water, throwing rings of light into the shadowy places.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_199"></a>[199]</span> +Spiders, ants and a host of other wingless insects were +crawling on many of the trunks, made captive by the flood. +Their inability to walk on the water was evident when we +knocked some of them off, so they must have lived on their +island trees for the last year, the time of existence of the +dam. The spiders were legion in species, hardly two alike, +from minute ones, shaped like nothing else under heaven, +with relatively enormous hooks and thorns on their brightly +colored abdomens, to giant tarantulas, who stood up and +threatened us before beating a dignified retreat.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure087" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure087.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 87. The Drowned Forest.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The increase of water had attracted many water-loving +birds, and great Rufous Kingfishers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird67">67</a></span> swung past us, strong-winged, +beautiful birds, carrying on their business of life +in a virile, unhesitating way. Between the trunks flashed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_200"></a>[200]</span> +the White-banded Swallows<span class="bird"><a href="#bird118">118</a></span> now hovering before a trunk +and snatching a spider, now dipping at full speed for a +floating gnat. A hollow rattling drew our attention upward, +and there, gazing intently down at us, was a splendid Woodpecker—the +Guiana Ivory-bill,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird89">89</a></span> close kin to our Ivory-bill +of the Florida swamps. Imagine a big Woodpecker with +dark brown back, wings and tail, while the long erect crest, +head, neck and breast are bright scarlet, shading into rich +rufous on the under parts! Such a beauty looked down at +us, and then without sign of fear dived into a hole.</p> + +<p>The Indians, passing several times a day, with loads of +cord wood in their ballyhoos or flat-bottomed boats, were +familiar with the Woodpecker and asserted that the bird +had no mate. It was a male and although we visited the +place several times no female ever appeared. The dead tree +which held the nest was called Aramaca by the Indians, and +was about a foot and a half in diameter, with the entrance +not less than sixty feet above the water. A living tree like +it on the bank near by had obtuse entire leaves and large, +brown, slightly curved pods. The trunk was rotten, especially +at the water line, and as it could not have remained +standing much longer, we decided to investigate the home +of this little-known bird.</p> + +<p>We hailed the first Indians who appeared and set them to +work felling the tree. The Woodpecker flew out at the +first stroke of the axe, and remained close by, showing little +fear or anxiety. We landed and the Indians made the +trunk fall in our direction. It struck the water with a terrific +splash, breaking into several lengths, and finally coming to +rest with the hole upward. Running out along the floating +log we found that the nest contained a single bird, with no +trace of addled eggs or other young. The opening was a +circle, four inches in diameter, and the cavity fourteen inches +deep. The young bird was about five days old, featherless<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_201"></a>[201]</span> +and downless, but the sprouting feather tracts were very +distinct.</p> + +<p>On the edge of the branches of the lower mandible, about +three-quarters of the way to their base, were two round, white +knobs or warts, and a large white patch like an abnormally +large egg-tooth was at the tip of each mandible. These +structures were undoubtedly direction marks for aiding the +parent in finding the mouth of the young bird in the darkness +of the nest chamber. When the mouth was open they formed +the four corners, with the throat cavity in the centre.</p> + +<p>A most remarkable collection of creatures gathered on the +upper side of their wrecked tree, tenants of the bark and wood +for the last year. Two small green-headed lizards made +flying leaps and escaped ashore. But marooned for life were +several species of bark beetles (<i>Nyctobates giganteus</i> and +<i>Paxillus leachii</i>), a huge boring beetle, and spiders galore. +We noticed a slight disturbance among the bits of floating +bark and pith, and scooped up a most wonderful creature—a +true bug, perfectly flat, with the sides of its body drawn out +into irregular flat serrations, while in color it was the very +essence of lichened bark or dead leaf. Placed on a piece of +wood it instantly drew in its legs and clung tightly. If it +had not been frightened by the water we could have handled +it a dozen times without knowing it was an insect.</p> + +<p>A few yards away a pair of Mealy Amazon Parrots<span class="bird"><a href="#bird63">63</a></span> were +shrieking and flying restlessly about a great Mora tree, +but we could not discover their nest. On our way home a +dainty Blue Honey Creeper<span class="bird"><a href="#bird136a">136a</a></span> alighted on the bow of our +canoe; rich deep blue except for wings, tail and throat which +were black. The feet and legs were clear yellow, showing +most conspicuously against the plumage.</p> + +<p>A pair of Great Green Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird150">150</a></span> had swung their +four-foot pendent nest from the tallest limb of a tree standing +in the water, and we spent ten minutes watching the male<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_202"></a>[202]</span> +court his mate. As he uttered his incoherent medley of +liquid cowbell-like notes, he bent his neck, thrusting his head +far downward and forward, and at the same time throwing +both wings forward and around in a semicircle. As this +curious action was completed, the vocal utterance came to a +close and the performance was over. The early stages in the +evolution of such a courtship may be observed in our common +Cowbird of the north, and a further developed stage in the +little Guiana Cowbird.</p> + +<h4>THE CITY OF THE CASSIQUES.</h4> + +<p>On the first day of our arrival, even before we came in +sight of the clearing, we heard the cries of the splendid big +Orioles or Cassiques, known all over Guiana as Bunyahs. +In the creek bed below the dam, but within the radius of the +clearing, stood a medium sized tree and among its branches a +colony of Scarlet-backed Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird152">152</a></span> were flying back and +forth from their nests.</p> + +<p>We made a mental note of them at the time but passed on +without giving them more than a glance. Later near the +bungalow we occasionally saw them in small numbers +associating, as we have already stated, with the Lavender +Jays.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird161">161</a></span></p> + +<p>As we wished to take a number of young Cassiques back to +New York with us and to study the colony as thoroughly as +we could in the space of a week’s time, we started out early +one morning for the Cassiques’ tree. The long pendent +nests were all seventy feet or more from the ground. Taking +the rusty climbing irons from their case, we recalled vividly +the last time they had been in use—a cold June day in Nova +Scotia, when the nesting hole of a Three-toed Woodpecker +had been the goal. How different were these tropical +surroundings!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a>[203]</span></p> + +<p>Bravely the start up the tree was made; jab and pull, jab +and pull, while the straps pressed in on ankle and knee, +giving that peculiar sensation that cannot be described, but +which every climbing naturalist knows so well. Ten, +twenty, thirty feet were scaled, and then one’s hand on the +opposite side of the trunk broke through some tiny earthen +tunnels, and, like many an unfortunate telegraph-line-man, +struck a live wire. At least, the sensation was very much the +same, only the electric shocks were here progressive, and +when they had reached the elbow, they were seen to be a +numerous and enthusiastically defensive horde of ants. At +one end a pair of jaws gave a firm point of leverage and +attachment, whereby the insect could secure a footing while +operating the sting from the opposite end of his anatomy.</p> + +<p>There have been martyrs to science as well as religion, but +much as one might desire to look into those nests only forty +feet above, it may be doubted if any man could have controlled +his feelings and coördinated his muscles sufficiently +to continue the ascent. The details of the descent were hazy; +an exceedingly rough trunk seemed to shoot upward through +one’s embrace until the ground was reached and the Cassiques +screamed their delight.</p> + +<p>They had seen many of the four-handed folk foiled in a +similar manner, and now this new enemy, who scaled the +trunk with two hands and two spurs was equally baffled by +the tiny allies of the birds!</p> + +<p>But study the colony we must, and selecting a line of soft, +springy underbrush, we had an Indian drop the tree on it +A cloud of screaming Cassiques followed it to earth, scattering +only as we ran up and began to gather the young birds. Out +of the first nest there rushed a lizard about a foot in length, +brown, with head and fore-legs bright green. He scurried +like a streak of light across the red tailings, the speed sending +him up on his hind legs, so that his track was bipedal.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_204"></a>[204]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp63" id="figure088" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure088.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 88. Nests of Red-backed Cassiques.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Before we describe the condition of the colony as we found +it when we reached the fallen tree, it will be interesting to +record its early history as far as we know it. This was the +first year of this colony of Cassiques, as last year there were +none nearer the clearing than the mouth of Hoorie Creek, +three and one-half miles away, where in a tree, overhanging +the house of a black, a colony has been in existence for two +years. Three months ago, in January, one Scarlet-backed +Cassique was observed in the clearing at the mine, but it +soon vanished. Within a few days, however, a number of +these birds appeared, perhaps guided by the solitary scout.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_205"></a>[205]</span> +They set to work at once, establishing their new colony in +the tree which we had cut down. So at the time we began +to study this colony, it could not have been older than three +months.</p> + +<p>The tree stood alone in the centre of the tailings from +the gold washing and 20 or 30 feet away from all the surrounding +trees. The finely sifted sediment of the tailings +had broadened out the water of the creek bed so that it +flowed delta-like on both sides of the tree. With their +characteristic intelligence, the Cassiques had taken advantage +of this unusual condition, and were thus guarded from +enemies, by the water, by the isolation from other trees +and by the far more formidable stinging ants which probably +for many years had had their home on the trunk of the tree. +The little bird city as we found it contained 39 homes; +three-quarters of which were on one branch, 70 feet from +the ground, while 10 were suspended from a smaller branch, +a few feet lower down. Of the 39 nests, 4 were only half +finished, while 10 were empty, having been already used +and deserted this season. The others may be divided as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>One nest contained an addled egg; white with brownish +spots chiefly at the larger end.</p> + +<p>One nest had one egg containing a week old embryo.</p> + +<p>Two nests each had a skeleton of a well grown young +bird; one of which had been caught about the neck, and the +other about the legs by fine flexible tendrils which had caused +their deaths.</p> + +<p>There were altogether 28 young birds: 9 full-fledged, 16 +with feathers just appearing, while 3 were recently hatched. +They were distributed as follows:</p> + +<table> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">14</td> + <td>nests contained</td> + <td class="tdr">1</td> + <td>young bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7</td> + <td>nests contained</td> + <td class="tdr">2</td> + <td>young birds.</td> + </tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_206"></a>[206]</span></p> + +<p>The special distribution was as follows:</p> + +<table> + <tr> + <th><i>Number and Condition of Young.</i></th> + <th><i>Number of Nests.</i></th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>2 well-fledged young in</td> + <td>2 nests.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>1 well-fledged young in</td> + <td>5 nests.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>2 partly fledged young in</td> + <td>4 nests.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>1 partly fledged young in</td> + <td>8 nests.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>2 newly hatched birds in</td> + <td>1 nest.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>1 newly hatched bird in</td> + <td>1 nest.</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p>The nests were typically Cassique-like, made of stout rootlets +and grasses, while at the lower end was a cup-shaped +lining of very fine grass and root hairs, forming a soft bedding. +The nests varied from thirteen to eighteen inches in length, +and all but five had an upper roosting chamber, built on +above the entrance. These five were built directly beneath +a group of others, and the bases of the ones above served as +protecting roofs. This was a most interesting adaptation to +varying conditions. Just before felling the tree we noticed in +several instances that both parents shared in the work of +bringing food to the young ones. Almost all of the young +were uninjured by the fall of the tree. Three were thrown +out of the nests and these we chloroformed in order to +find what their food had been. The stomach of one was +crammed with white seeds of two kinds; one nearly round +and about as large as the head of a pin, while the others +were longer, perhaps one-third of an inch in length. Mingled +with these seeds were remains of numerous insects; beetles, +grasshoppers and caterpillars. The two other birds, which +were younger, and almost bare of feathers, had received chiefly +animal food, as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquote"> + +<p>1. A three-inch, smooth caterpillar, medium sized spider, +many small bugs, and a mass of berry seeds.</p> + +<p>2. Several one-inch cut-worms; spider; small iridescent +beetle; yellow butterfly; a few berry seeds.</p> + +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_207"></a>[207]</span></p> + +<p>The young birds were almost without down, the adult +plumage being outlined very shortly after hatching. In a +bird of only four or five days the dull orange or yellowish +color of the rump feathers shows plainly. When these +break through their sheaths, the color is a dull rose; becoming +redder as the feathers increase in length, but not attaining +the brilliant scarlet of the parent birds until the succeeding +moult. When full grown, these birds measure about ten +inches in length and are glossy black in color, save only for +the brilliant scarlet rump. The bill is a conspicuous greenish +white, while the feet are black. The eyes of the nestling +are dark hazel in color, while in the old birds the iris is of +a most beautiful greenish blue.</p> + +<p>The voice of the very young birds is a shrill incessant <i>peep! +peep!</i> when they are gaping for food, but the half-fledged +youngsters utter solitary harsher notes under the same +conditions. The five fully fledged birds had learned what +fear was and instead of feeding, crouched down at the bottom +of the artificial nest which Mr. Crandall made for them. +But hunger overcame fear and before night all had taken +food. We kept an Indian busy gathering a berry or fruit +which looked, tasted and smelled much like a miniature +tomato. The leaves of this low plant are large, deeply +incised and studded above and below with numerous thorns. +The plant is from three to six feet in height, is abundant in +the clearing, and forms the favorite vegetable food of the +Cassiques. In addition to this, the young birds had a few +mealworms and ants’ eggs from our small store, and all the +soft insects which our Indian could capture. After two full +days of grasshopper catching, the pride of the noble red-man +began to feel itself injured, and additional inducements in +the way of tobacco were needed to sustain his interest in his +orthopterous pursuits.</p> + +<p>On the following day the oldest of the young Cassiques<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_208"></a>[208]</span> +flew feebly to a low perch and nothing could induce him to +return to his fellows again. He uttered isolated call-notes, +which however, at the approach of food, merged at once into +the baby scream.</p> + +<p>We had carried the young Cassiques a third of a mile +to the veranda of the bungalow, where they were put out of +sight and sound of their parents; yet early next morning +four Cassiques had discovered their offspring and were +flying back and forth close to the house carrying food in +their beaks. In an hour no fewer than twenty Cassiques had +collected, and on placing the young out in a low tree, the +parents came at once and fed them.</p> + +<p>One bird which we watched carefully brought masses of +caterpillars which it inserted within the wide mouth of the +young. Although the young birds were mixed up, five or +six of the same size being placed together in one artificial +nest, yet there was no question about recognition on the part +of the old birds. At least there was no reckless undirected +feeding; certain young were fed by certain adults.</p> + +<p>The second day after we had taken the young birds, no +Cassiques came to feed them, and we found the reason was +that the entire flock had begun to found a new colony in the +very nearest tree to the one we had cut down, about twenty +feet away. This too was isolated and protected both by +shallow water and by the vicious tunneling ants.</p> + +<p>Some of the new nests must have been started the day +before, as the roost chambers were complete and in several the +top of the nest itself was finished. The rains had been rather +heavy for a few days and may have influenced the early building +of the shelters above the nest. To the three or four inches +of nest the birds were bringing beakfuls of fibres, both sexes +working energetically. We were glad to know that our +wholesale destruction of the first colony site had wrought no +permanent change. At the rate the birds were building, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_209"></a>[209]</span> +second colony would be in a flourishing state in another two +weeks.</p> + +<p>These Red-backed Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird152">152</a></span> together with their near +relatives the Yellow-backs<span class="bird"><a href="#bird153">153</a></span> are most interesting birds, and +a careful study of the growth and daily routine of a colony +would yield most valuable results. They seem to trust more +to the presence of man as a protection against enemies than +to the guardianship of wasps, but both methods are to be +found. We traced these birds all the way up the Barama, +and from what we could learn, none were found higher up, +the colony at Hoorie Mine being the farthest outpost.</p> + +<h4>NIGHT LIFE.</h4> + +<p>Owing to our brief stay and the difficulty of exploration in +this hilly and densely underwooded country, we gained little +thorough knowledge of the vertebrate fauna hereabouts. +The phase of tropical life which, during the week of our stay, +was most striking, was the wonderful host of insects attracted +by the electric lights in the evening. The bungalow contained +four large rooms, two on each side of a wide central passage, +extending through the house—a kind of interior veranda, +open front and back. This was the dining room, where +every day we feasted upon delicious dishes of peccary, tinamou, +curassow and paca, or “bush-hog,” “maam,” “powie” +and “labba,” as we learned to call them in the vernacular.</p> + +<p>Here during the evening meal, after the lights were turned +on, came legions of the most curious, the most beautiful +winged creatures imaginable. We all turned entomologists +and never tired of admiring the wonderful colors, and bizarre +shapes which night after night were revealed in never-ending +array. The first night Crandall sent up an excited call of +“Get a vial! Get a vial!” and this became our vesper slogan. +From the yard, or veranda, or room, or kitchen hut, would +come the call from some of our party, “Get a vial!” and the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_210"></a>[210]</span> +one nearest the array of bottles in the improvised laboratory +would hasten to the aid of the discoverer, who would probably +be found with eyes glued to some strange creature and +blindly reaching out behind for the approaching vial, in +which to capture his prize.</p> + +<p>There were few insects of very small size and many indeed +were gigantic, as judged by our standards of the north. +None were unpleasant and they seldom attempted suicide +in soup or cocoa. They were content to flutter a moment +about the electric globe and drop quietly to the white table-cloth. +Praying mantises, or “rar-hosses” as our southern +negroes call them, would whirr in and climb awkwardly over +the bouquets of flowers, swaying from side to side and now +and then reaching out for some passing insect, with a sudden +unflexing of those murderous, deceptive fore-legs. One which +flew on the table was a new species, which has been named +<i>Stagmomantis hoorie</i>.<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[E]</a> If exercise during meals is good +for one’s digestion then we were hygienic in the extreme, +for twenty times in succession we would have to go to the +veranda laboratory to chloroform our captives.</p> + +<p>The second evening, although a heavy rain was falling, a +bewildering number of moths, mostly small but of exquisite +patterns, dashed in between the drops. There were almost +never two alike; indeed among one hundred species captured +on two evenings, there were but two duplicates.</p> + +<p>It is folly to try to describe with any exactness the beauty, +even of the commonest, plainest insect, and how much more +impossible to convey an accurate idea of these tropical beauties. +Think of a sapling near an electric light covered with +fifty or sixty exquisite moon moths (<i>Thysania agrippina</i>)—pale +creamy white, banded and looped with lines of brown—none +less than nine inches in spread of wing and many +reaching an even foot across.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_211"></a>[211]</span></p> + +<p>The hawk-moths that came to our table were all different, +all beautiful; one a study in pale yellow; another variegated +green with blended purples and red (<i>Argeus labruscae</i>) on +the hinder wings. This one too bore on its eyes the long shaft +of a pollen stalk from some night flowering orchid.</p> + +<p>Then a moth would come, recalling somewhat the Promethea +and Polyphemus of our childhood’s collecting, but +with great transparent mirrors in the centre of the wings +(<i>Attacus [Hesperia] erycina</i>); next, two as different as possible +but which we learned later were sexes of the same species +(<i>Dirphia tarquinia</i>)—the female, large, plain brown with a +forked streak of light across the fore-wings: her mate a full +third smaller with rosy hind-wings and fore-wings frosted +white, save for two conspicuous circles at the fork of his white +lightning.</p> + +<p>On the third evening there were fewer moths, but many +more beetles and grasshopper-like insects. Green was the +predominating color among the moths this evening—from +palest yellow-green to darkest bottle-green. In some the +green had a border sending ray-like lines across all four wings. +Yellow and white were the colors almost always present in +combination with the green, the yellow being usually confined +to the hinder wings. A stain of gold was sometimes +laid over the green, and in one beauty the green seemed to +have been spattered at hazard over a milky-white surface. +This proved to be a female of a species known only from a +single male (<i>Racheolopha nivetacta</i>) the female proving to +be twice as large as her mate.</p> + +<p>Instead of burying the insects in envelopes or mounting +them in the orthodox way with the fore-wings raised unnaturally +until the hind edge is at right angles to the body, we +merely supported the wings, and allowed them to dry in the +natural position. By doing this we usually lost sight of part +of the hinder wing, but we gained the true relation of the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a>[212]</span> +spots and patterns on the fore-wings to those on the thorax +and the result was in many instances surprising. For example, +when spread, the fore-wings of one tiny moth (<i>Pronola +fraterna</i>) showed two meaningless black spots forming +each one-third of a circle. When closed naturally, these +united with the black abdomen to form a perfect black circle +stamped upon a mat of velvety cream color.</p> + +<p>All words are inadequate to describe these exquisite creatures; +one with the lightning flash of gold across its cloudy +background; another, enscribed with Chinese hieroglyphics; +a third of lavender, yellow and russet mosaics set about large +transparent windows of opalescent blue.<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[F]</a> One of the most +exquisite was a little moth (<i>Chrysocestis fimbriaria</i>) spreading +less than an inch, with wings of iridescent mother-of-pearl +rimmed with dull golden, on which was set a score of embossed +beads of the most brilliant gilt, flashing as no gem ever flashed.</p> + +<p>If one could spend a season here studying the motions alone +of these insects, it would well repay him. One moth, iridescent +with a broad border of black (<i>Eudioptis hyalinata</i>), +curled the abdomen straight up into the air, and separated its +extremity into a wide-spread tuft of hairs. These radiated +like the tentacles of a sea anemone, and when the whole was +waved about, it looked like some strange crawling caterpillar, +holding its head high above the prostrate wings of the moth.</p> + +<p>The last evening, as if to make our departure still harder, +the insects increased in number. Walking sticks five and +six inches in length skimmed through the air, their bodies, +legs and wings dark in color and ornamented with irregular +scales and projections, until their resemblance to a jagged-barked +twig was perfection. If this species were represented +by thousands of individuals in its haunts, birds or four-footed<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_213"></a>[213]</span> +enemies would soon learn to detect even such an exact counterfeit, +and the protective value would be lost. But in the +tropics the infinite variety is the key-note to success in protective +adaptation. On the table-cloth at one time would be +perfect green leaves (katydid-like orthopters), green leaves +with large worm-eaten defects or spottings (some of the +mantises) and many brown, lichened leaves and twigs +(moths and walking sticks). Even if two of the same species +appeared at once, the chances were that one would be much +the larger and of an entirely different shade with a distinct +individual pattern of mimic defects.</p> + +<p>Big owl moths (<i>Hyperchiria liberia</i>, <i>H. nausica</i>, <i>Automeria +cinctistriga</i> and others) alternated with tree-hoppers +of all sizes with branched and rebranched horns rising from +their thoraxes (<i>Hemiptycha [Umbonia] spinosa</i> and others). +The prize of one evening was a grasshopper (<i>Pterochroya +ocellata</i>) which came in on the sleeve of the coolie butler. +It had alighted on the white cloth as he crossed the yard +between the kitchen and the house. Its wide, jagged fore-wings +met closely above the back, forming a half green, half +brown leaf, complete even to the mid and side ribs. On the +hind wings were what we could merely guess were either +sexual ornaments or warning markings, visible only in flight. +The ground color of these translucent wings was a finely +mottled yellow and brown, while painted on the pleated surface +were two eye-spots like those upon the feathers of a +Peacock-pheasant, a dark velvety shaded portion with a +delicately shaded ocellus at one edge.</p> + +<p>The last insect captured was a tree-hopper as big as a +cicada, mottled and marbled on the fore-wings, and stained +scarlet on the hinder.</p> + +<p>In <a href="#APPENDIX_C">Appendix C, pages 397, 398</a>, I have added a list of a +few of the moths and Orthoptera collected on the dining +table at Hoorie, which have been identified.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_214"></a>[214]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.<br> +<span class="smaller">THROUGH THE COASTAL WILDERNESS WITH INDIANS AND CANOE.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>The most interesting observation we made on the launch +trip from Hoorie Creek down the Barama River, was of +a flocking of more than two hundred big green Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird150">150</a></span> +the birds of the liquid cow-bell notes, which passed low overhead +with a roar of cackling voices, and a loud whistling of +wings, bound for some safe roosting place—still another +species to exhibit this common roosting habit.</p> + +<p>We found Farnum’s deserted, the family having gone +down to Georgetown, so we took possession of the empty +house; swinging our hammocks on the porch and watching +the sun sink over the river, with the dark forest beyond, +growing ever darker. As we had been told that there were +no mosquitoes, we had not hung our hammock nets, and the +droning hum of these miserable pests kept us awake for hours. +From across the river came the discontinuous, labored puffs +of an overloaded freight train pulling up a grade. Now +and then the wheels would slip and four or five chugs would +come in quick succession. One could imagine the heavy +trail of smoke and sparks, the shining rails and the long +line of heavy, slowly moving cars—then the sound ceased, +and far down the river another frog took up the chugging. +Now and then the voice of a red “baboon” came to our +ears; and continually the mosquitoes “zooned” and on the +floor below our hammocks the dog whined unceasingly as +he scratched his bête rouge. When we opened our eyes,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_215"></a>[215]</span> +lightning bugs of several candle-power flashed above us in +the thatch of the porch, and by their light we could see big +tarantulas dragging their prey here and there, seeming ready +to drop with fatigue at any moment. All the sounds of the +wilderness are lulling, save that of mosquitoes when one is +netless. Many times that night we wished ourselves back +in the boat.</p> + +<p>We had heard that there was a coast-wise way of returning +to Georgetown; threading little-known rivers and creeks in +a small canoe. The idea of exploring those charming little +creeks at which all through the journey we had looked with +longing, was fascinating to us, and we owe this realization of +our dreams to Mrs. Wilshire, who planned the trip and gave +it to us as a surprise. This proved to be the most wonderful +canoe voyage which any of us had ever taken. For five days +we were paddled, portaged, towed and pushed through a +wonderland abounding in rarely beautiful birds, butterflies +and orchids. We slept at night under our tiny tarpaulin, or +invaded, and were made welcome at little isolated Indian +missions. Our pen falters at the thought of attempting to +give any idea of the wonders of that trip, but day by day we +set down our impressions as best we could and here are some +of them.</p> + +<p>It was almost noon on the 16th of March before we had +our men, luggage and canoe in readiness to start. Pushing +off we said good-by to the rest of the party; including Crandall +and his precious cargo of Red-backed Cassiques and +other live birds. They were to return via Morawhanna and +the “Mazaruni” direct to Georgetown.</p> + +<p>We secured a little canoe, or ballyhoo, about fifteen feet +long, with a tarpaulin stretched over the centre. In the +bow were four Indian paddlers, two men and two boys, +while in the stern as steersman and paddler was a splendidly +built Carib Indian, Marciano, chief of the Hoorie woodmen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a>[216]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure089" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure089.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 89. Barama River from Farnum’s House.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_217"></a>[217]</span></p> + +<p>Amidships was piled our luggage and we distributed ourselves +over and around the clothing bags and larder boxes. +Mr. and Mrs. Wilshire and we two composed the list of +passengers, and the unceasing pleasure of those five days +was a good test of mutual congeniality and adaptability to +“bush-travel.”</p> + +<p>The stroke adopted by our Indians was a peculiar one, which +we were to hear all day and often throughout the night, for +these men of the wilderness, short and stocky in build, +seemed tireless, and hour after hour they would keep hard at +work, sometimes for as much as thirty-six hours at a stretch, +with only a brief nap or two.</p> + +<p>The Indian paddle rhythm set by little Pedro, the younger +boy in the bow, accentuated every other stroke, the tempo of +the strokes becoming more and more rapid, until, when further +speed was impossible, one stroke was suddenly omitted, and +the gap thus formed marked the new slow tempo, which in +turn, in the course of fifteen to twenty strokes of the paddle, +would work up to a climax and the former rhythm begin +again. All kept perfect time, the new change not being +inaugurated on any exact stroke, but the others seeming to +know instinctively when it would come. Whether they were +eating, talking or looking behind them it was the same, all +changed as one man.</p> + +<p>Two or three hours after starting, we made a landing in +order that the Indians could cook their breakfast, invariably +composed of a combination of pork, dried fish, rice and +cassava. This menu was varied only when one or more of +the ingredients happened not to be procurable. Sometimes +for many days the Guiana Indians worked hard upon nothing +but cassava. The jungle was thick about the little clearing +which they made for a fire, and word passed rapidly along +the lines of parasol ants that manna was available in the +form of rice and bread crumbs. A few minutes after a bit<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_218"></a>[218]</span> +of food was thrown down it would mysteriously take legs to +itself and begin to walk away, the motor power being myriads +of these interesting insects. Big-headed soldiers patrolled +all along the winding trail of foragers, troubling no one unless +they were disturbed or the workers attacked. Several +species of orchids, Brassias and others unknown to us, were +in blossom all about us.</p> + +<p>On we went again, becoming more and more delighted +with our method of travel. There was no puffing, smelly +kerosene engine, no clatter of many tongues; and we were +close to the water with nothing overhead between us and +the sky, or the overhanging branches. The typical river +birds paid little attention to our silent craft; and we were +able to watch Giant Kingfishers,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird67">67</a></span> Guiana Cormorants,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird47">47</a></span> +Snake-birds,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird48">48</a></span> Parrakeets and Swallows at close range.</p> + +<p>In sheltered places along the bank our canoe pushed +through unbroken masses of the floating rosettes of leaves, +known as the Shell Flower (<i>Pistia stratiodes</i>). The leaves are +shell-shaped, thick, strongly ribbed and light velvety green +in color, covered with a coat of short, dense hairs which +repel the water so that when pushed beneath the surface the +plant bobs up as dry as before. Thousands of these little +plants become detached from their sheltered bays and are +carried out to sea where they decay and disappear. Small +Water Hyacinths were less common.</p> + +<p>The river was full from recent rains in the interior, and +in some places for several hundred yards the surface was +thickly covered with innumerable small yellow blossoms +splashed with scarlet at their hearts, while every now and then +a large purple pea-blossom would be seen. These had +doubtless fallen from the tree-tops where the river was +narrower and the vines and branches overhung the stream. +Many insects were carried down afloat on the blossoms and +now and then a great hairy tarantula would appear, with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_219"></a>[219]</span> +each of his eight feet in a blossom, trying to keep his balance +until he could reach solid ground again.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp56" id="figure090" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure090.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 90. Scene on the Barrabarra.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Agami Herons,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird39">39</a></span> beautiful in their plumage of glossy +green, chestnut and blue, were standing here and there in +the shallows snatching the insects from the petals as they +floated past.</p> + +<p>At four o’clock in the afternoon we left the Barramanni +River which had averaged about two hundred feet in width,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_220"></a>[220]</span> +and entered the charming little Biara, which was only about +sixty feet from shore to shore. Here the vegetation was very +dense, water lilies in hundreds with curious, serrated leaves +and a profusion of the sweetest of flowers. We were paddling +through literally a river of water-lilies. Clavillina +blooms hung low over our faces; wild cocoa pods showed +rich brown among the foliage. Mucka-mucka with its great +heart-shaped leaves was everywhere, a plant which on a +later trip was to interest us as forming the food of the Hoatzin. +The air was filled with the sweet penetrating calls of the +Goldbirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird115">115</a></span> and Woodhewers and now and then the puppy-like +yaps of Toucans.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird81">81</a></span> Pendent nests were numerous, built +so far out over the water that we could touch them as we +passed, thus safe from marauding monkey and opossum.</p> + +<p>The stream was dotted with islets, varying from a few +inches to as many yards in circumference, crowded with +ferns and graceful sedges, all perfectly reflected in the mirror-like +water. One such islet of the smallest size was crowned +with a single-petalled, white calla lily, surrounded by a host +of tiny purple orchid blossoms; a square foot of perfect +beauty and perfume set in the ebony water. Seldom were +we out of sight of flowering orchid, vine, bush or tree. +Orchids were in the ascendant and our tarpaulin brushed +against long Golden Showers, graceful shoots of Cattleyas +and curious green Spider Orchids.</p> + +<p>There seems to be no autumn in this land, and death comes +only to single leaves, while the variegated scarlet and yellow +hues of new sprouting foliage made brilliant every bend of +the stream. The Moriche or Eta Palm is dominant here +and the vegetation of these lesser streams is dense and bushy,—intimate +and delightful, rather than grand and awe-inspiring +as along the forest rim of the Barama.</p> + +<p>Toucans and Ant-birds darted across the water ahead +of us; tree-ferns stretched out their graceful fronds and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_221"></a>[221]</span> +sifted their pollen down upon us. The bird songs of this +region are not long and elaborate, but there was no dearth of +most delightful, liquid phrases, usually loud and penetrating. +Six songs, all wholly unlike one another, reached us that day, +all unknown, mysterious. We steered close to the bank and +picked a wild cocoa pod but found it unripe and the beans +had only a raw aroma. Two long-snouted weevils crawled +from the heart of the pod, one of the myriad hidden forms +of life of this wonderland.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure091" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure091.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 91. Wake of a Manatee swimming up River.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Now and then we passed a little open grassy savanna +where the water was no longer brown, but a clear black from +the steeping of the decaying vegetation.</p> + +<p>In many places the water leaves showed where manatees +had been browsing, and occasionally we caught sight of the +huge ungainly creatures, as they swam slowly up stream or +nosed the vegetation along the bank.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_222"></a>[222]</span></p> + +<p>All this and much else we passed in an hour, and at five +o’clock entered a third stream—the Barrabarra. The whole +country hereabouts is swampy, so when at dark we stopped +for our evening meal we did not land but rested quietly +among the lily pads. The Indians ate, as they did everything +else, silently, with only now and then some low guttural +ejaculation.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp71" id="figure092" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure092.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 92. Manatee browsing close to the Bank.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We flashed our powerful electric light upon the lily pads +and found that the water was full of active life. Scores of +little fishes were resting motionless in the thin film of water +covering the lily leaves, some with the basal half of the body +and two lines up and down from the eyes, black. Marciano<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_223"></a>[223]</span> +called them <i>Salaver</i>. In addition to other very slender fish, +there were numbers of little fresh-water prawns shooting +about among the maze of fanwort beneath the pads. The +glint of strange shapes came to us—tiny Cyclops and others +which the human eye was powerless to name without a +microscope. We sat in the darkness listening to the sounds +of the swampy jungle. Not a mosquito hummed, and the +frogs eclipsed all other, lesser noises, calling in basso and +treble, with tinkling bells and a clear ringing chime like the +æolian singing of a telegraph wire.</p> + +<p>Marciano climbed back to his seat in the stern, gave an +order and the paddles pushed sluggishly through the pads, +carrying fear and tumult to thousands of little aquatic lives. +The next four hours we shall never forget as long as we live. +On and on we went through the pitchy darkness, guided +solely by the light of the little bow lantern. The bush ropes +ahead stood out in sharp silhouette like giant serpents coiled +in mid-air across our path. The night seemed to press +in on our tiny atom of life. The shadows of the waving +arms of the paddlers were thrown on the foliage behind +the boat, looking like some huge spider-like thing forever +following it. The sheets and drops of water thrown up by +the Indians gleamed like molten silver.</p> + +<p>The open savannas increased in size and extended farther on +each side than the shaft of electric light could carry. Great +tufts of pampas grass towered high above our heads, drooping +gracefully outward in all directions. The channel narrowed +and the lily blossoms increased until the water was thickly +studded with them. Their odor hung heavy on the air and +when one of the blossoms itself was smelled, the perfume was +as sweet and as overpowering as chloroform. During the +day they had been all but odorless. For miles we pushed +through the tangle of water plants; in places the men having +to drag and push the boat over the reeds and grasses, crushing +scores of spider lilies with the keel. This is the back-water +divide between the rivers which flow northward into the +Waini and those which flow to the south. During the dry +season this route becomes impassable.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_224"></a>[224]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure093" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure093.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 93. Manatee taking in Air and about to dive.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_225"></a>[225]</span></p> + +<p>Later we came to open pond-like spaces and here we found +another species of water lily with a smaller flower and a +smooth-edged leaf with maroon colored under side. Owls, +large moths and bats occasionally flitted across the field of +light.</p> + +<p>It was half-past ten at night when Marciano told us that +we were turning into the Morooka River. We were to follow +this river down to the very sea, but here it was barely distinguishable +as a narrow channel through the grass and reeds. +Another hour passed and several dark forms loomed up in +the dim light of our lantern, and when we reached them we +found that they were boats tied to a rough sort of landing.</p> + +<p>We climbed out and stumbled sleepily about, getting the +cramped feeling out of our bodies. Then when the Indians +had tied up the boat and slung our hammock bags over their +backs, we followed them up the long avenue of lofty cocoanut +palms which stretched down to the water’s edge. We felt +our way slowly in the darkness, walking stiffly and uncertainly +after the cramped position in which we had been +compelled to sit for so many hours.</p> + +<p>At last Marciano held high his lantern and we saw towering +before us a huge white cross. Instinctively we all paused +reverently. Whatever one’s faith may be, it is impossible to +come thus upon the symbol of a great and ancient church, +standing in the midst of a vast and primeval wilderness, +without a feeling of awe and reverence. There in the teeming +ceaseless life of the wilderness was the mystery of +creation: and there stood the white cross, a symbol of man’s +attempt to solve the tremendous problem of creation and +immortality.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_226"></a>[226]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure094" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure094.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 94. A Vista of the Biara.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The light revealed a crude little church with an adjoining +building standing behind the cross. To this other building +the Indians led us. We knocked gently, then harder, then +pounded. No response! Half a dozen dogs gathered and +howled mournfully. At last finding a side door ajar, we +entered a spacious room, part dining-room, part school-room, +with a loom and a half-finished Indian hammock in one corner. +We called and shouted, we pounded on the floor and +walls, and at last from the distance—upstairs—came an +answering roar. Down to us came the jolliest priest we ever +hope to meet. Two strange men and women had invaded +his castle at midnight, routing him out of well-earned rest, +and yet his welcome was as warm as though we were expected<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_227"></a>[227]</span> +friends. Our jovial host furnished us with lights, and gave +us permission to sling our hammocks from the rafters of the +great school-room. About one o’clock in the morning we +rolled into our swinging couches completely tired out. But +sleep was not to be had at once. An ominous gritting squeak +was heard, then another, and our faces were softly fanned by +invisible wings. “Vampires!” came the exclamation from +the furthermost hammock. “Never mind them,” answered +a sleepy voice from Mr. Wilshire’s hammock; “doctors say +bleeding is healthful!” The scientist echoed his sentiments +but in vain. We had to dive down into the clothing bags and +pull out the hammock nets. Now these articles are somewhat +difficult to adjust under the best of conditions and this +night they were perversity itself.</p> + +<p>We found that in the packing at Hoorie, the nets had +become mixed and two were of an unknown pattern, with +apparently no entrance hole except at the ends. A hammock +net is shaped like a buttoned up coat with the hammock +running through the sleeve portions. It is an acrobatic feat +not soon to be forgotten, when one is dead tired and in the +dark, and has to enter his net by climbing up to the end of +the hammock rope and sliding down through a small, long +shute of netting! It was two in the morning before we were +settled, and as we finally dropped asleep a score of fierce +little demon faces were squeaking and gibbering at us.</p> + +<p>At six o’clock the following morning we were awakened +by a dozen little naked Indian boys flitting silently about, +peering at us like tiny copper elves, or like human incarnations +of the bats which had hovered about us during the night. +Going outdoors in the dusk we heard a perfect medley of +bird notes, Wrens, Thrushes, Tanagers, Seedeaters, all giving +voice at once, while from the farther end of the cocoanut walk +came a chorus from a colony of Yellow-backed Cassiques.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span> +We saw the mission cat teasing something and took from her<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_228"></a>[228]</span> +a tiny oppossum with fur of richest brown, and no larger +than a mouse. The little creature was unhurt, but played +’possum until it recovered from its fear when it made itself at +home in a small suitcase.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure095" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure095.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 95. Father Gillett and his Indian Boys</span>.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>When our jolly priest appeared to wish us good-morning, +the little Indian lads bowed their bronze figures reverently and +kissed his hand. Some of them busied themselves weaving +a hammock, while others set the table and later served us at +breakfast. Our priest was like the genial monk of a mediæval +story. He was delightful with his tribe of small Indian +boys, ordering them about in a great voice but with his eyes +beaming with affection for them. “Man alive!” he would +shout, “bring the finger-bowls!” And to our amazement, +the wee naked valet not only knew what finger-bowls were,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_229"></a>[229]</span> +but actually produced them, passing them around the table +with colossal dignity.</p> + +<p>“That man’s a linguist,” the Father added; “he speaks +English, Spanish and several Indian dialects.”</p> + +<p>The good Father’s heart was overflowing with kindness +toward every living thing. He could not even bear to see +his cat waiting hungrily for her breakfast, but ordered his +small butler at once to give her some milk.</p> + +<p>We wondered why the Father’s Indian boys had such +straight, slim, well-proportioned figures, instead of the unwieldy +“cassava-stomachs” so characteristic of the little +savage Indians. With a twinkle in his eye the Father told +us that his first step in converting the small Indian lad to +Christianity was a huge dose of castor oil; then regular hours +and regular meals of nourishing food, instead of allowing +them to munch cassava all day. Then one might proceed +by teaching them the doctrine, and always a useful trade, +while after that was achieved there was plenty of time for a +more literary education, if the individual warranted it. He +had reason to be proud of his method, for in all our travels +we never met a missionary whose works “spoke louder” +than those of Father Gillett; for the most successful and +worthy Indians in the colony had been trained by him. +Some of them had become excellent engineers, others priests +and still others had learned good trades.</p> + +<p>After breakfast the Father took us through the chapel, +followed by his dusky little tribe, all crossing themselves +piously before the altar. He showed us with pride the +decorations of the altar and the ceiling, all the work of himself +and his little Indians. The ceiling represented the dome +of heaven, bright blue, and dotted with a multitude of white +stars.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_230"></a>[230]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure096" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure096.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 96. Tropical Luxuriance.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_231"></a>[231]</span></p> + +<p>When we called our little Pedro, the youngest of our Indian +paddlers, to tell Marciano that we were ready, Father +Gillett’s eyes filled with tears and he said, “Is your name +Pedro? I lost a lovely Pedro. He died of fever last Easter. +I did not know I could miss him so much. He used to talk +to me. He was not like other Indian boys. He loved to +talk.” Then turning to us he added simply, “It is a lonely +life sometimes, you know.”</p> + +<p>We were told that white women had never before passed +through that part of British Guiana. So unexpectedly did +we arrive at midnight, and so early did we depart next morning +that perhaps our visit seems as unreal to the good Father +as it sometimes does to us—like a very vivid dream which we +can never forget. He loaded us with gifts of cocoanuts and +fruit and in the fresh coolness of early morning we again set +forth on our journey.</p> + +<p>Just as we were paddling away, the Father ordered all his +small boys into the water for their regular morning swim. +Head first they went, splashing about as gayly as a school +of strange copper-colored fish.</p> + +<p>We found as we went on that the Marooka changed +rapidly in character. It was no wider but the water lilies +and pampas grass disappeared and a softer, finer grass +covered the marsh, dotted with a host of purple and yellow +flowers rising from some aquatic plant. Isolated trees became +more numerous, and great Woodpeckers, resembling +our splendid Ivory-bills, looped here and there. Swallow-tailed +Kites<span class="bird"><a href="#bird58">58</a></span> dipped and soared and Kiskadees<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span> shrieked +near the occasional huts of the Indians.</p> + +<p>At noon we lunched on erbswurst and jam at a Protestant +Mission—Warramuri—where a small colony of Red-backed +Cassiques were established. A school of about fifty +Indian children were studying and reciting at the top of +their lungs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_232"></a>[232]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure097" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure097.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 97. Capybara on the Bank of a Stream.</span> (Photo by Bingham.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_233"></a>[233]</span></p> + +<p>We left in an hour and from here on the Marooka widened +and consequently lost somewhat in interest. The low elevation +on which the English Mission is built is composed +wholly of fine white sand, and beyond this mangroves began +to appear and the foliage became less diversified.</p> + +<p>We landed for an hour at a small cocoanut plantation and +found a most ingenious method of improving time and space +until the main crops should yield. Rice was planted in long +narrow trenches which are flooded twice a day. Between +these trenches the young cocoanut palms are placed, and in +the spaces separating the palms, cassava and coffee are +grown, while between them in turn and around the edge of +the trenches were plantain and tania. The catch crops are +thus made to pay for the price of the land and labor. Land—virgin +forest—can be empoldered and ditched for $35 +an acre. The first year’s two rice crops will repay this and +continue to do so for five years, when the cocoanuts will yield +a regular income for fifty or sixty years. This, at least, is the +calculation of the agriculturist.</p> + +<p>Deer, peccaries and capybara are found on this little +clearing, and we saw several of the latter animals running +about among the underbrush on the bank. Mealy Amazon +Parrots<span class="bird"><a href="#bird63">63</a></span> were nesting in an inaccessible stub. Ant-birds +of several species were by far the most abundant birds. +Everywhere the undergrowth was flaming with sharp-pointed +scarlet blossoms on long stalks which a native called Wild +Plantains.</p> + +<p>Below the plantation, mangroves composed the only vegetation +visible along the banks of the river, and before long +our canoe began to rise and fall with the swell of the sea. +For days the smell of the damp tropical marshes had filled +the air, and now we sniffed eagerly at the invigorating salt +breeze. We lowered the tarpaulin, tied everything fast and +prepared bailers under the direction of Marciano.</p> + +<p>At last, rounding a curve of the river we came in sight +of the sea—a vast stretch of turbulent brown water. A<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a>[234]</span> +Cocoi Heron<span class="bird"><a href="#bird31">31</a></span> and an American Egret<span class="bird"><a href="#bird32">32</a></span> flew away with protesting +croaks, and we began to pitch and toss as we turned +south, beyond the outermost sprawling mangrove roots.</p> + +<p>We had been warned on no account to make this part of +the trip with other than full-blooded Indian paddlers, and +when we saw the need for steady, skilful work, we were indeed +glad that we had Marciano and his good crew. The +waves were too muddy to break, but they rolled high over +the low rail of our canoe and we were soon soaked through +and had to bail steadily to keep the frail craft from filling. +In the midst of all the excitement three splendid Flamingos<span class="bird"><a href="#bird42">42</a></span> +flew overhead, one close behind the other, necks and legs +extended to the full. We watched them until our eyes ached, +and then a dash of several quarts of salt, muddy water in our +faces, brought us suddenly back to grim reality. After we +had paddled three or four miles, we entered the broad mouth +of the Pomeroon, turned close in along shore and finding a +sheltered bight, waited for the turning of the tide and to +give our Indians a much-needed rest. The heavily laden +canoe had given them a hard paddle against wind and tide, +and we were to travel onward throughout all the night.</p> + +<p>As dusk settled down a Frigate-bird<span class="bird"><a href="#bird49">49</a></span> swooped past, followed +by a large flock of several hundred Boat-billed Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird37">37</a></span> +croaking like their relatives the Night Herons, and on their +way doubtless from some roosting place to their nocturnal +feeding grounds; for as they reached the water they scattered, +some going up the river, others along the shore.</p> + +<p>From the east, straight across the whole width of the +Pomeroon came another great flocking, a host of Mealy +Amazon Parrots<span class="bird"><a href="#bird63">63</a></span> flying as usual two and two close together—by +hundreds and by thousands. They turned +south along our bank and flew inland, and were joined, +almost over the spot where our canoe was moored, by +another great multitude of their kind, coming steadily down<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_235"></a>[235]</span> +the coast. At the very lowest estimate there were eight or +ten thousand parrots. Once and only once we saw a solitary +individual unaccompanied by a mate. While still in +view he attempted to attach himself to a pair of birds, whereupon +both dashed at the unfortunate intruder and drove +him headlong out of sight below the level of the branches. +It is indeed a serious thing to lose one’s mate if one is a +parrot! To be a widow or a widower is to be an outcast.</p> + +<p>At ten minutes past six the parrots vanished in the dusk +and true to its name a “six o’clock bee,” a species of large +cicada, sent out its shrill whistle from the mangrove to +which our canoe was tied. Here for the first time since +we left Farnum’s we encountered mosquitoes and sand flies, +but oil of tar did much to discourage them. It is a curious +fact that although the prevailing wind blows in the direction +from which we had come, yet these troublesome insects are +said never to pass beyond the line of the Pomeroon’s mouth.</p> + +<p>After an hour of paddling we stopped for a supply of +water at a tiny Portuguese store built on piles, and going by +the name of Poc-a-poo. It was a weird little place with +rows of tiny shelves on which were bottles of lemon soda +which was remarkably good, and an assortment of ribbons, +knives and paddles for trade with the Indians. We purchased +some well-made Carib Indian baskets and, stumbling +over a caged Guan<span class="bird"><a href="#bird6">6</a></span> or Maroodie as they called it, +ordered it sent to Georgetown, where it appeared the following +week and is now a contented inmate of the New +York Zoölogical Park.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock we started on our all-night paddle up the +Pomeroon. Like most tropical nights near the sea the air +was chilly. We rolled up in our blankets, and anointed our +faces with the tar oil. The scientist chose as his night’s +couch one of the long sloping side seats. The slope was +only a fraction of a degree, but gravity and drowsiness would +invariably cause the downfall of the occupant of the seat, +much to the disturbance of the canoe’s equilibrium.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_236"></a>[236]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure098" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure098.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 98. South American Thatched House, and Nests of +Green Cassiques.</span> (Photo by Bingham.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_237"></a>[237]</span></p> + +<p>As we lay and listened to the strange rhythm of the paddles, +and watched the brown current swash past the side of +the boat, we thought of all the exciting scenes this river and +this coast had witnessed:—the ill-fated search for El Dorado +by Sir Walter Raleigh; then the capture and recapture of the +colony no less than three times by Dutch and British. Later +came a period of great prosperity when hundreds of sugar +plantations yielded great profits to their owners and the social +life was as gay as that of our old Virginia. Then followed the +ruin of the sugar industry, bands of run-away slaves taking +to the wilderness; and now to-day, the chimneys of the old +mills are often the only marks of former civilization which +the jungle has not obliterated.</p> + +<p>We skirted the mangroves for hours and saw nothing but +an endless succession of those weird stilted plants, while +scores of four-eyed fish skipped and slithered over the mud, +or dashed across our bow, attracted by the glow of our lantern. +In the electric light they looked pale and ghostly +against the black mud.</p> + +<p>At midnight we passed a light which showed the location +of Marlborough Police Station. Two hours later we heard +weird music from a tom-tom and a four-toned fife or flute. +Crude as it was, it had a wild melody and the syncopated, +or “rag,” time was perfect. We could see the hut near the +water and hear the shouts of the dancers as we passed down +the centre of the river. We were hailed by a canoe of half-drunken +negroes who put off and wished to accompany us +up the river. Marciano gave a low command and one of +the Indians muffled the lantern; then all swung together in +a new rhythm—the full-speed paddle-rhythm of the Caribs—and +we fairly flew through the water. After every five +minutes spurt our crew rested for a few seconds to locate our<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_238"></a>[238]</span> +unwelcome pursuers. At first they cursed us and paddled +furiously, but their tipsy efforts were no match for our lithe +red-men and the negroes soon dropped out of sight and +hearing.</p> + +<p>There was no moon but throughout all the night whenever +we awoke, the southern cross gleamed brilliantly down +at us, and almost in the zenith Orion stood ever poised in his +gigantic stride. As usual frogs and toads furnished most +of the nocturnal music, and we spent an hour or more in +classifying the various utterances. Among them was the +Telegraph Toad who spoke in a regular make-and-break +Morse code, sending his wireless messages to his mate. +Another, heard more rarely, was what we called the Wing-beat +Frog. This species gave out a muffled throbbing roar +like the hurried wing-beats of a Swan in full flight. It would +last for five seconds, to be answered instantly by another +across the river.</p> + +<p>From the wonderland of the narrow Biara, we had come +out upon the boundless expanse of the ocean, passing thence +to this splendid river a half mile across. But we had far +from finished the experiences and variety of this ever-to-be +remembered trip.</p> + +<p>At daybreak we pushed through a tangled mass of lilies +and water hyacinths into a tiny caño or creek, and in a +soft rain, while the tired Indians slept beneath protecting +palm leaves, we cooked erbswurst and cocoa. The morning +chorus was infinitely sweet, from flocks of invisible songsters, +a trembling descending chord of three notes, rising +at the end in a plaintive, questioning way.</p> + +<p>At eight o’clock we went on again, the Indians apparently +perfectly rested after their two hours’ sleep. The Pomeroon +narrowed to about a hundred yards, mangroves disappeared +and mucka-mucka with its oblong, pineapple-like fruit, +took their place. Flowers were abundant,—white convolvulus;<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_239"></a>[239]</span> +wild sorrel, pink with deep carollas; large yellow blossoms +with scarlet hearts, and many other varieties. Four-eyed +fish were still common and Great Rufous Cuckoos,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird77">77</a></span> +Lesser Kiskadees<span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span> and Swallow-tailed Kites<span class="bird"><a href="#bird58">58</a></span> were building +nests.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure099" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure099.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 99. Miles of Lilies.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>At Pickersgill Police Station we stopped for lunch. These +posts are the sole representatives of law and order in the +wilderness, and here the semi-military organization of negro +police have their quarters. Most of them are men of unusually +large size, and in disposition they are pleasant and +obliging. They never failed to do their best to make us comfortable. +The duty of these men is varied. Besides being +responsible for the good conduct of the inhabitants of their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_240"></a>[240]</span> +districts, they keep account of shipments and all passing +boats and passengers, and stand ready to run down, or rather +paddle down, fugitives from justice. At each post are little +rooms reserved for travellers, and here any strangers with +proper credentials are at liberty to swing their hammocks and +make themselves at home. The sergeant had just trapped +a half dozen pretty blue and yellow Violet Euphonia Tanagers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird140">140</a></span> +in a mango tree near the station. The usual colony +of Yellow-backed Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span> was deserted at the time of +our visit, but had been occupied twice during the last year. +Lying half in the water in front of the house was an anaconda +fifteen feet long which had just been shot. We purchased +thirty bananas for fourpence, and with fried bananas and +bacon, the unfailing and never cloying erbswurst, jam, +educator crackers and lime squash, we had a meal fit for the +gods.</p> + +<p>At this point we left the Pomeroon and turned up the +Harlipiaka for two hours, then into the last real river of our +trip, the Tapakuma. This river was only about seventy-five +feet wide and with vegetation neither grand nor very luxuriant, +principally eta palms and mucka-mucka. Wild cocoa +and clavillina blossoms were everywhere and numerous Lesser +Kiskadees<span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span> were building. Many small, deserted estates +appeared as the river grew narrower, and morpho butterflies +and Silver-beak Tanagers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird146">146</a></span> haunted the half-overgrown +ruins. Catching sight of a snake on an overhanging branch, +we persuaded Marciano to steer close to it, but as we reached +out to seize it, our Indian’s fears overcame him and he swung +out quickly, the serpent making its escape into the water. +It was a harmless species about five feet long, and yellow-brown +in color. With the exception of the dead anaconda, +it was the only snake we had seen on our trip. When we +commented on this, Marciano relieved his feelings in two +words, “Me glad!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a>[241]</span></p> + +<p>It was dead high tide, although the water was fresh—backed +up by the salt tide farther down. The surface +seemed to be covered with rubbish, and at first glance it +looked as unsavoury as the water in a New York ferry slip! +But when we examined it, the flotsam proved to be composed +of a host of various nuts and seeds, many of which were +beginning to send out roots and leaflets. They were of all +shapes and sizes—from large flat disk-like pods and round +vegetable-ivory nuts, to smaller ones covered with corrugated +husks, fluted or polished like metal.</p> + +<p>The river became still more narrow, and twisted and turned +to every point of the compass. Flowers were abundant and +we noted at least twenty species with large and conspicuous +blooms. A blue-bell blossom was especially characteristic +of the Tapakuma, growing up from the water six to thirty +inches. There were few lilies and the predominating tree +was one with sensitive foliage, which went to sleep in the +late afternoon. Several species of orchids in full flower were +common, and from one branch we pulled into the canoe a +string of a dozen plants of a most fragrant white orchid—<i>Epidendrum +nocturnum</i>. The whole region was very different +from that of the Biara but no less interesting.</p> + +<p>Just before sunset we came to the fairyland of Tapakuma +Lake. We had zigzagged through many miles of tortuous +channels, with copper-colored Indian hunters passing us now +and then, silently in their small canoes. At last we came +to a portage—a gentle slope up which our canoe was +dragged, over the divide and into the great grassy expanse +of water savanna, in the centre of which is the dark deep +lake.</p> + +<p>We walked a few yards into the woods to see some “falls” +which turned out to be only a moderately foamy rapid, and +on the way we disturbed a large troop of monkeys which +limbed off slowly through the branches; and then hurried<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_242"></a>[242]</span> +back to our boat, for we were still far from Anna Regina, +where we planned to spend the night.</p> + +<p>On and on we went, the darkness settling quickly down. +A new Castanet Frog raised its voice. This was really +remarkable—a syncopated Oriental rhythm, clicking musically, +and held by one frog for only a minute or two when +another instantly took up the little tune. This shifting of +place, the music sounding first here, then farther on, made +it seem as if some invisible dancer were swiftly whirling over +the reeds and tules. One could hear the clicking of the castanets +and the tinkling of anklets, and the thought was made +more vivid as a bejewelled coolie woman passed us in a long +narrow dug-out, paddled swiftly by her husband.</p> + +<p>The water was very high and a wide new channel among the +grasses so confused Marciano that we paddled for an hour +before we realized that we were lost. We changed direction +and guided ourselves by the stars, passing some dense grass +through which we had to push laboriously. At last Marciano +sent a clear, penetrating call through the night and the coolie +answered, far ahead and to the left. We called twice after +that and then came into a canal, and soon were alongside +two canoes blocked by a lock. We would have as soon expected +to find a motor car here in the wilderness as a canal +lock, but nevertheless there <i>was</i> a canal lock with no one to +operate it. By our combined efforts we opened it, passed +through and found ourselves surrounded by miles of sugar-cane +fields. We had entered the back door, as it were, of the +great sugar plantation of Anna Regina, one of the few which +are still in operation. We were on the home stretch and the +Indian boys towed us the remaining distance, running at full +speed, tumbling head over heels into the water; and forgetting +for once their usual Indian stolidness, they giggled and chattered +as if they were out for a lark, instead of having paddled a +heavily laden canoe on thirty-six hour stretches!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_243"></a>[243]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure100" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure100.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 100. The Road to Suddie.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>At midnight we reached the end of the canal, and a hundred +yards up a road we found the Anna Regina police station. +The guard turned out, cleared away the judge’s bench and +witness box in the courtroom and laid blankets for us on the +benches, as there were no rafters for our hammock ropes. +Our Indians would not come near the dreaded prison house, +but left our baggage at the entrance. They said good-by as +they were to start back at once. We had grown to have a +real affection for these simple men and boys, and found them +the best of travelling companions, silent, courteous and +wonderful workers. May the time come when Marciano +will again pilot us through that beautiful region to which no +pen or camera can do the slightest justice!</p> + +<p>The following morning after a walk through the neighboring +coolie village of Henrietta, where we purchased some +Yellow-bellied Callistes<span class="bird"><a href="#bird142">142</a></span> and other birds, we secured a +carriage, with a horse and a mule as motor power, and drove +to Suddie, taking the steamer thence down the Essequibo +River to Georgetown.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_244"></a>[244]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.<br> +<span class="smaller">THE WATER TRAIL FROM GEORGETOWN TO AREMU.</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>We allowed ourselves only forty-eight hours in Georgetown +to unpack our specimens and prepare for our +second expedition into the “bush.” This time we were +to leave the coast and strike straight inland, passing up the +Essequibo River to Bartica, thence via the Mazaruni and +Cuyuni to the Aremu and the Little Aremu rivers. Near +the head-waters of this last stream was the gold mine which +marked our journey’s end, deep within the wilderness.</p> + +<p>On the morning of March 23d, we left Georgetown on one +of Sproston’s steamers en route for Bartica. A pair of Gray-breasted +Martins<span class="bird"><a href="#bird122">122</a></span> accompanied us, and we found that they +were nesting in an angle between two beams of the main +deck covering. Young birds were in the nest, so the Martins +must have accompanied the steamer on many of the alternate +day trips between Georgetown and Bartica. Not only this +but the river boat exchanges routes every two weeks with +her sister steamer which is plying on the outside northwest +route to Morawhanna, the fortnightly change from fresh to +salt water doing away with all need for keel cleaning. So +these birds had started their nest while the boat was making +her sea trips. During much of the time we were on the boats +the birds kept flying out to each side over the water in pursuit +of insects for their brood. They sometimes went far +ahead or out of sight a half mile to shore.</p> + +<p>After entering the wide estuary mouth of the Essequibo +we passed Leguan and Hog islands, each over ten miles in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_245"></a>[245]</span> +length, while above these a succession of smaller islands +appeared. The river is about three miles in width, fringed +with mangroves, and we saw no life on shore save occasional +Cocoi Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird31">31</a></span> feeding on the flats.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure101" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure101.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 101. Gray-breasted Martins nesting on the Steamer.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Essequibo is the largest river in the colony and rises +in the extreme south, somewhere in the Acarai Mountains +near the equator, some six hundred miles inland. Like all +the great rivers of this region it is navigable by steamers for +only a short distance, rapids and cataracts barring the way +about fifty miles above the mouth. The first great tributary +is the Mazaruni, entering from the southwest and touching +with its uttermost head-waters the very base of that +mysterious lofty plateau, Roraima, on the borders of +Brazil.</p> + +<p>We landed at the very apex of the point of land between +the Essequibo and Mazaruni rivers,—the village of Bartica +or Bartica Grove. It is a most dilapidated place, half in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_246"></a>[246]</span> +ruins, a single street of miserable houses filled with blacks +and coolies.</p> + +<p>We were invited to spend the night at the house of an +Englishman, Mr. Withers, enjoying again the unfailing +hospitality of the wilderness. In a launch we proceeded +three miles up the Mazaruni, and climbing a steep hill, +denuded of its forest, we turned and revelled in the magnificent +view. A small, heavily-wooded island in the foreground +broke the surface of the shining waters, and beyond, the two +mighty rivers rolled ceaselessly, joining their floods with +hardly a ripple. Directly across, on the opposite shore of +the Mazaruni, the picturesque white buildings of the penal +colony could be seen, looking more like the hotels and cottages +of some watering place than like prisons. If one must be +imprisoned for life there are few places one would prefer +to this!</p> + +<p>An American company had obtained a concession of some +seven thousand acres for the purpose of raising sisel hemp, +and Mr. Withers was in charge of this important undertaking. +His home, on the crest of the hill, overlooked the +surrounding rolling country, six hundred acres of which had +already been cleared during the preceding nine months and +planted in the valuable fibre plant. Here again we found a +most ingenious system of catch crops, peanuts, castor beans +and corn, surrounding but not interfering with the slower +growing sisel. Their success was yet to be proven.</p> + +<p>A careful study of the effect on animal and plant life of +this clearing away of the forest would yield much of interest. +Many sloths with young were caught when the trees were +being felled, and Goldbirds, Woodhewers, Parrots and other +forest birds had now retired some distance from the clearing. +The antlers of two deer shot here were simple spikes. Insects +of all kinds had greatly increased, and caterpillars of strange +shapes and colors were legion in number and doing their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_247"></a>[247]</span> +best to undo the labor of the agriculturists. Insect-eating +birds of certain types had increased enormously, and Gray-breasted +Martins,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird122">122</a></span> Barn<span class="bird"><a href="#bird121">121</a></span> and Variegated<span class="bird"><a href="#bird119">119</a></span> Swallows filled +the air, while Kiskadee Tyrants of three species,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird103">103</a></span>, <span class="bird"><a href="#bird104">104</a></span> +other Flycatchers, House Wrens,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird124">124</a></span> Seedeaters, Hummingbirds +and Honey Creepers were abundant, swooping over the open +fields, snatching insects from the air, or leaves, or ground, +according to the method of hunting of each species. The +Honey Creepers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird136a">136a</a></span> were continually getting into trouble here +as elsewhere in the darkened upper roof space of the house, +and many had to be caught and liberated daily.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="figure102" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure102.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 102. Coolies and their Wives fishing in the Essequibo.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Small snakes and toads are also said to have increased, due +doubtless to the increase of insect food, but the abundance +of agoutis or acouris was unfortunately only too evidently +due to the supply of succulent vegetables.</p> + +<p>This evening the regular afternoon wind continued until<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_248"></a>[248]</span> +late, and it was too cool to walk about without a coat. The +wind sounded anything but tropical, howling around the +eaves of the house like a northern blizzard. The moon rose +about nine o’clock—a great flat-sided ball of orange, +lighting up the pale bare fields but throwing all the jungle +into blackest shadow. Soon the light became stronger and +the two southern crosses paled from view, the false one +higher up, kite like, and the <i>vera cruz</i>, low and resting on its +side.</p> + +<p>“Sproston’s” is a company which controls many of the +steamer and launch lines of the colony, and gives remarkably +good as well as reasonable service. When the day comes +that the tourist learns of the beauties of this country, the +transportation lines will become of immense value. Now +they depend principally on the many American concessions +and other interests for freight, and upon pork-knockers and +bovianders for passengers.</p> + +<p>At nine o’clock on the following morning, travelling again +on one of Sproston’s launches, we left Mr. Withers and +proceeded up the Mazaruni, in about an hour reaching the +point of its confluence with the Cuyuni. This was as beautiful +as the junction of the Essequibo and the Mazaruni which +we had left. Turning up the Cuyuni we went on and on +through a region of indescribable beauty. The noble river +spreads out in a wide smooth expanse,—a tropical Hudson +with palisades of trees. It is very shallow and when the +water is low there is little but tide at this point. Hence +mangroves are dominant, becoming, however, smaller and +less numerous as we proceeded. At eleven o’clock we +reached the beautiful falls at Lower Camaria Landing and +went ashore to find a delicious breakfast prepared for us +by the genial and hospitable Mr. French and served by his +aged man-servant, who was christened <i>Swan</i>, but who was +familiarly known throughout the colony as “French’s <i>Boy</i>.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a>[249]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure103" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure103.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 103. Falls at Lower Camaria.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_250"></a>[250]</span></p> + +<p>At Camaria a series of all but impassable rapids and +falls occurs, and a portage of three and a half miles is necessary. +A well-made sandy wagon trail points the way, rising +gradually and then slowly descending again. At the top of +the rise the sand is of the finest and whitest quality. Butterflies +were extremely abundant along this wood road, a dozen +splendid blue Morphos being sometimes in sight at once.</p> + +<p>One interesting species of butterfly (<i>Castina licus</i>) was +very common, flying along ahead of us with short spurts +and alighting on bare twigs, just within the shadow of the +jungle. They were dark brownish above, tinted with dull +orange and green and with four broad streaks of white across +the wings. They were perfectly protected in the positions of +rest which they chose on small bare twigs, the brown merging +invisibly with the dark recesses of the undergrowth beyond, +while the white markings exactly simulated a white orchid +blossom, sprouting, as so many of them do, from a leafless +stem. As the mule cart passed laden with our luggage, we +seized the Graflex camera and secured the accompanying +photograph. In spite of their protective colors and mode +of resting, the wings of almost all had been nipped by birds, +and we saw one fall a victim to a Flycatcher. The characteristic +birds of this trail were Swallow-tailed Kites<span class="bird"><a href="#bird58">58</a></span> and +Yellow-bellied Trogons,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird76">76</a></span> the former soaring overhead every +few minutes and the latter dashing from cluster to cluster of +berries.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the afternoon our walk brought us to +Upper Camaria, where we were again on the bank of the +Cuyuni. Here, tied to a gigantic Mora tree, a second launch +awaited us, and from here to our second night’s stopping +place at Matope we stopped only once, at Tiger Island, to +take a few “pork-knockers” on board. Although there were +only three small, hut-like houses here, there was the invariable +colony of Yellow-backed Cassiques.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_251"></a>[251]</span></p> + +<p>The tide was blocked by the succession of falls and rapids, +and so at Upper Camaria the whole character of the vegetation +was changed. Mangroves had vanished and in their +place were mucka-mucka and other aquatic growths, backed +by the solid walls of trees and vines.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp63" id="figure104" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure104.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 104. A Butterfly mimicking an Orchid.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Snakebirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird48">48</a></span> were perched in solitary state at frequent +intervals along the banks,—silent, sinister looking, craning +their necks out at us and either dropping quietly into the +water and sinking from view or flapping heavily upward. +Ordinarily their flight is very pelican-like; six or eight flaps, +then a short scale, but when they once reach a high altitude, +they soar most gracefully with set wings, first in a wide, slow<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_252"></a>[252]</span> +circle, then with a sudden straight rush, then a circle and so +on, all apparently without a single wing beat. When thus high +in air they have a most peculiar arrow-shaped appearance; +thin sharp beak, slender neck and body, and broad, fan-shaped +tail.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure105" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure105.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 105. Fresh-water Flying Fish.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>While the launch was puffing slowly along we saw one +of the most unexpected sights of the trip—a fresh-water +flying fish <i>Carnegiella strigatus</i>. It did not leave the surface +entirely but skimmed steadily along in a straight line +with the tip of the deep keel of the abdomen just cutting the +surface. It was small, not more than two inches long, and +of the greatest interest to us at that time, as we did not then +know that such a thing as a fresh-water flying fish existed. +To see a silvery little form break from the mirror-like surface +of the river and go skimming off through the air left us amazed.</p> + +<p>These fish were silvery in color, marked with irregular +black markings, with long, wing like pectoral fins and a +remarkably deep keel, like the keel of a racing yacht.</p> + +<p>As we went on, the walls of foliage became higher and more +dense, stretching up, far up above our heads, until the topmost +branches were from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five +feet above the water. Majestic vistas opened out ahead<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_253"></a>[253]</span> +of us, and now and then great solid banks of flowers hung like +huge tapestries upon the foliage walls. One white flower with +a plume-like tuft of long slender stamens, filled whole bends +of the river with its sweet perfume and formed aërial banks +of bloom fifty feet square. We saw here for the first time +the Green River Ibises<span class="bird"><a href="#bird26">26</a></span> looking dull black in the sunlight. +They were of the same size as Scarlet Ibises but with a +shorter tail, and flapped more slowly in flight.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure106" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure106.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 106. Salt-water Flying Fish.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Just before dusk we reached the house of the government +agent of this district, Mr. Nicholson, and were made welcome +at his little home in the heart of the wilderness. The house +is on a steep bluff of red clay, changing to yellow near the +water and commanding a fine view up and down the river. +Below, the river is smooth and shining, while a quarter of +a mile above the house a mass of tumbling white water blocks +further progress and marks the second portage.</p> + +<p>In the yard near the house one passes through a cluster of +young fruit trees and here two small colonies of Yellow +backed Cassiques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird151">151</a></span> had located, clustering their pendent +nests almost within arm’s reach about two big nests of stinging<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_254"></a>[254]</span> +ants. At dusk several hundred Smooth-billed Anis<span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span> +dropped into a clump of bamboo and with much racket and +squabbling settled for the night.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure107" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure107.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 107. Cuyuni River.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>This region is wholly undisturbed, the few “pork-knockers” +and Indians who pass keeping entirely to the river. Mr. +Nicholson told us that Capybaras (<i>Hydrochoerus capybara</i>) +came every night and raided the vegetable garden, and we had +good evidence of this. Pushing through the bush a short +distance downstream at dusk, we saw a small herd of these +creatures appear and distribute themselves over the banks. +Some waded along the shallows, or swam out and dived, to +come up with a mouthful of algæ. Others climbed the clay +slope and disappeared into the jungle. They seemed like<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_255"></a>[255]</span> +reincarnations of some of the great unwieldy prehistoric +beasts—restorations of those bones by which alone we +know of their existence in past ages. It was too dark to +photograph these giant rodents, but by the kindness of +Dr. Bingham we are able to show several splendid photographs +of Capybaras, taken in their haunts.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure108" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure108.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 108. A Herd of Eight Capybaras, Six Adult and Two Young.</span> +Notice the Snout of a Crocodile in the Water on the Left. +(Photo by Bingham.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Indian hunter at Matope finds abundance of game +within a mile of the house; two kinds of deer, tapir, peccary, +and of course Curassows and Guans. Trumpeters<span class="bird"><a href="#bird25">25</a></span> are often +heard from the house but are considered too tough for food.</p> + +<p>We talked, chiefly by signs, with the Arowak Indian +hunter who had just come in with a Bush-hog or Peccary +(<i>Dicotyles tajacu</i>). As soon as the animal is killed, the gland<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_256"></a>[256]</span> +on the lower back is cut out, a piece of skin being removed +about four by eight inches. If this is not done immediately, +the flesh will become musky and unfit to eat. The hunter +was familiar with the rare White-lipped Peccary (<i>Dicotyles +labiatus</i>), which he described as larger than the common kind +and going in small families of two to five individuals. This +was a dangerous animal, and more than once he had been +treed by them, whereas the Common Peccary was timid and +harmless except when wounded or cornered.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nicholson had recently seen a full-grown Great +Anteater (<i>Myrmecophaga jubata</i>) swimming the river, and +curiously enough we later witnessed a similar performance +where the banks were about a third of a mile apart. +The creature was making fair headway, although drifting +rapidly, and was completely immersed save for the elongated +snout and head, and the upper part of the bushy tail, +which waggled frantically with the efforts the anteater was +making.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nicholson promised to obtain some living Trumpeters +for us and later kept his word by sending one to New York +a few months after we left. There are gold diggings near +here which were worked by the Dutch in 1625. In the earlier +days of the English occupancy, gold smuggling was an every-day +occurrence at Bartica, and Mr. Nicholson had to take +extraordinary precautions to guard against it. He would +scrape a line under the keel of a boat from stem to stern, by +this means often discovering hidden bags of gold. Many a +coopful of innocent looking fowls, brought down by the +“pork-knockers,” were slain by the government inspectors +and found to have their crops and gizzards filled with the +precious yellow grain. Cartridges were a favorite means of +smuggling, the powder being removed and replaced with +gold. There is no longer any attempt at smuggling now as +it does not pay.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_257"></a>[257]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure109" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure109.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 109. Great Anteater.</span> (Photo by Sanborn.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_258"></a>[258]</span></p> + +<p>Vampires (<i>Desmodus rufus</i>) are so abundant at Matope +that every evening one of the servants collects the chair +cushions on the veranda and packs them under an upturned +chair. Otherwise, the dogs, bitten while sleeping on +these cushions, would ruin them with their blood. We swung +our hammocks on the veranda and kept one light burning, +and although the bats squeaked shrilly throughout the night, +none of us were bitten.</p> + +<p>Early next morning we packed up and set out, and in a +few minutes a launch landed us at the foot of the falls. This +portage was only about a hundred yards in length, bringing +us to Perseverance Landing. Here were several tent-boats, +most of them filled with “pork-knockers.” We stored our +luggage in the one reserved for us and climbed into a tent +ballyhoo with ten paddlers in addition to the bowman and +steersman—all big, powerful, piratical looking blacks, except +the steersman, who was an Indian. Now came the most +exciting part of our trip, passing up the series of rapids which +filled the whole bed of the river. It took us until noon to +pass them. A smooth expanse of water would indicate depth +sufficient to float a steamer. Then a bar of granite would +appear, rising on shore into huge boulders and forming a +series of foaming, tumbling waves across the river. In such +a place there were numerous small islands and the width +increased greatly, while the water everywhere was shallow, +with channels ramifying here and there.</p> + +<p>As we approached one of these rapids the bowman stood +up and the men braced themselves for the tremendous exertion. +Starting with a slow, steady stroke, this became +quicker and quicker as the white water was reached, then +the bowman, using his long paddle lever-like against the +thwart, held the ballyhoo steady, while the men drove her +through the swirling water. The current became stronger +and stronger, the canoe seemed to slow down, be stationary, +even to slide back a foot or two. Then the great black backs, +glistening with perspiration, would twist and bend in a final +effort and the boat would shoot forward into the quiet +eddy at the foot of the rapid, with the water swirling past +on each side.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_259"></a>[259]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure110" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure110.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 110. A Tacuba on the Cuyuni.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_260"></a>[260]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="figure111" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure111.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 111. Rapids on the Cuyuni.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a>[261]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure112" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure112.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 112. Rushing the Boat into the Rapids.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_262"></a>[262]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure113" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure113.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 113. Warping the Boat through the Lower Whirlpools.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_263"></a>[263]</span></p> + +<p>Now, at a word from the steersman, the blacks tumbled +overboard, hastily getting out heavy rope cables, which one +or two of the most powerful took in their teeth or tied around +their waists and carried to some projecting rock as far ahead +as possible. After they had fought their way up to the rock +they tied the rope securely and now all hands took hold, +some of the rope, others of the boat, and pushed and pulled +her up through the boiling torrent.</p> + +<p>In one or two cases it was possible to zigzag up through +the less formidable shallows. After a particularly difficult +piece of paddling we would rest in some backwater for a few +minutes and have time to look about us. Every snag held +its complement of vampires which took to wing only when +we were very close. Solitary Sandpipers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird21">21</a></span> and Parauques<span class="bird"><a href="#bird70">70</a></span> +were abundant, the latter apparently nesting on the numerous +little sand-bars, and swooping near the boat or swinging +up to a bare branch where they perched lengthwise and +watched us with half-shut eyes.</p> + +<p>The rocky islets were covered with the low Water Guava +(<i>Psidium fluviatile</i>), and the rocks which are usually covered +with shallow water or those within reach of the falls were +studded with thousands of little starry flowers. In other +places masses of delicate pink blossoms raised their heads +above the shining mat of green submerged leaves which +fairly carpeted the pools. The beds of pink, green and +white amid the pools reminded us strongly of the many-colored +sponges, hydroids and anemones in a tidal pool of +the Bay of Fundy or a reef off a Florida Key. These aquatic +flowers, far out from shore, gave forth a sweet perfume +attracting flies, bees and even butterflies, which flitted through +the mist, just clearing the foaming water.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_264"></a>[264]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure114" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure114.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 114. A Rest midway up the Rapids.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_265"></a>[265]</span></p> + +<p>Now and then small reddish-brown crocodiles were seen +sunning themselves on the sand-bars. One, not more than +three feet in length, paid no attention to the revolver shots +which threw up the water close to him. The little flying +fish became more numerous as we went on, skimming here +and there in the smooth pools. Twice we saw one dash at +an insect, once a large bee and the second time a butterfly, +but they were less successful in their insect hunting than +the Swallows—both the Banded<span class="bird"><a href="#bird118">118</a></span> and the Variegated<span class="bird"><a href="#bird119">119</a></span>—which +swooped across our bow. Whenever we went close to +a bank we saw multitudes of a new flower, with its graceful +rebarbed stamens, looking like the falling lines of sparks +from a rocket.</p> + +<p>We lunched to-day on a splendid outcropping of rock on +the left bank, after chasing into the cracks some big and +remarkably colored tarantulas, with light red bodies and +dark legs.</p> + +<p>One of the most delightful surprises on this trip was the boat +songs of the blacks. How we wished afterwards that we had +written down the words and music at the time. One melody +remains clear in our memory:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music3" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music3.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music3.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music3.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a>[266]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure115" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure115.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 115. The Final Struggle up to Smooth Water.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_267"></a>[267]</span></p> + +<p>The words of the songs were delightful. One never-ending +refrain imparted the original and thrilling information that</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“A long time ago is a veree long time.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>Another song was the Stevedore’s Shantée. Then all +would break out in a wild harmony.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Dat citee hotel is de place wha I dwell,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Fare thee well—fare thee well—my citee hotel,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My citee hotel—my citee hotel.”</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The one of which we never tired was all about “Salina—mya +dear,” and we made the men sing it over and over until +they were breathless.</p> + +<p>Like all negroes they were full of spirits and childish humor. +Their paddling was splendid but terribly wasteful of strength, +as at the end of each stroke they gave a strong upward jerk, +sending a shower of drops into the air. Our luggage ballyhoo +was sometimes abreast of us across the river and when the +sunlight was reflected from the eight circles of water thrown +into the air at each stroke, the sight was a beautiful one.</p> + +<p>When we returned several weeks later, the shooting of +these rapids was as exciting as had been the ascent. There +was no slow difficult paddling or dragging up of the ballyhoo, +but a swift shooting downward, giving fleeting views of tall +walls of verdure, innumerable islets, great smooth-faced rocks +around which our canoe slid, perilously close, her keel sometimes +scraping the algæ on the bottom. We shot here and +there from side to side of the river, back and forth, guided by +the stolid-faced Indian in the bow. Now and then we would +turn completely around in order to keep to a deep channel +which bent on itself at an acute angle. Then a moment’s +breathing in slack water before the men gave way again, +either to hold back with all their might or to put every ounce +of strength into their work to keep the boat steady in her +course, as we ran parallel to a double line of seething,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_268"></a>[268]</span> +trembling waves, to enter which would have been instant +destruction.</p> + +<p>We would pass by a half dozen smooth-looking false channels, +to enter the single safe one, perhaps far across under +the lee of the opposite shore. A pilot not acquainted with +every foot of the way would have overturned us instantly. +The Indian would head our bow into the roughest part of +the water apparently in sheer foolhardiness, but always the +waves broke under us and tossed us like a chip over the +jagged rocks. A cross current in the maelstrom would tear +our bow out of its course, and at a cry from the steersman, all +ten backs would bend as one and fairly lift the boat back +into her course. As before, Macaws shrieked overhead, +Cocoi Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird31">31</a></span> stood watching us like statues and the little +living fish rose from our bow and ploughed their furrows to +right and left. But all passed as a swiftly-moving kaleidoscope, +as instantaneous side-lights upon the great white +tumbling mass of water which ever boiled and surged about us.</p> + +<p>At noon of the day of our ascent we entered the Big Aremu +River, a side tributary of the Cuyuni not more than a hundred +feet wide, and an hour later we grounded at Aremu Landing. +Here we said good-by to Sproston’s launch and paddlers, and +from here on were transported by Mr. Wilshire’s own men +and boats. We slung our hammocks that night in an open-work, +thatched and wattled house, the company’s storehouse, +after a delicious swim in the cool water.</p> + +<p>No insects came about the vampire-discouraging lantern +at night and no evening choruses of birds were heard +except a family of Red-billed Toucans.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird81">81</a></span> The iridescent +rough-backed green beetles, known to jewelry makers as +Brazilian Beetles (<i>Mesomphalia discors</i>), were abundant +on a vine near the house.</p> + +<p>As on our former expedition on the rivers of the northwest +we found that as the streams became smaller, their interest<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_269"></a>[269]</span> +increased. The Cuyuni is awe-inspiring and grand beyond +words, but the banks of the Aremu, closing in little by little +as we ascended, brought us into more intimate contact with +the creatures of jungle and forest.</p> + +<p>We started up the stream in an open ballyhoo of smaller +size, at first with paddles, but changing to poles when the +water became shallower. Snags, or tacubas as is the more +euphonious native name, became abundant and sometimes +stretched far out over our heads. Flying fish skimmed in all +directions and vampires (<i>Desmodus rufus</i>) in scores flew from +the dead branches projecting from the water. They choose +a small-sized one, say two inches in diameter, and alight, one +below the other, with heads raised, watching us. Like little +animated sun-dials they revolve on their perches as the sun +passes over, keeping the wood between them and the bright +light. Many of the snags had bits of dead leaves and other +débris clinging to them, brought down and lodged by the last +freshet, and it was not until we almost put our hand on +them and the bats flew, that we could tell whether we were +looking at a cluster of vampires or dead leaves. There were +hundreds throughout the course of the river, so it is a wide-spread +diurnal roosting habit of these fierce little creatures. +The blacks in this part of the country call the vampires +“Dr. Blairs,” after a certain colonial doctor of the olden +times whose favorite method of treatment was blood-letting.</p> + +<p>Swallows in the early morning filled the air above the river +with a cloud of rapidly moving forms. Orchids in full bloom +were abundant, long shoots of Golden Showers, the sweet +<i>Epidendrum odoratum</i> and many others unknown to us, all +drenched with dew and filling the river canyon with fragrance. +Three species of Kingfishers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird67">67</a></span><span class="bird"><a href="#bird68">68</a></span><span class="bird"><a href="#bird69">69</a></span> and big Yellow-bellied +Trogons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird76">76</a></span> appeared now and then. The trees were taller +than any we had yet seen, many of the moras and cumacas +being much over a hundred feet from base to top.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a>[270]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure116" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure116.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 116. Shooting the Rapids at Full Speed.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>At noon we stopped for breakfast in a primeval forest with +rather thin underbrush. Many small scarab beetles (<i>Canthon +semiopacus</i>) were resting in the hollows of leaves with +their branched antennæ raised, waiting apparently for some +hint of an odor which should summon them to their mission +of life—the depositing of their eggs in decaying flesh. Spinning +through the aisles made by the giant columns of tree-trunks, +were curious translucent pin-wheels, and not until +we captured one in the butterfly net did we realize we were +looking at the same attenuated forest dragon-flies (<i>Mecistogaster</i> +sp.) which had deceived us so completely five years +ago in Mexico.<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[G]</a> The movement of the long, narrow wings, +with the spot of white at the tips was, to the eye, a circular +revolving whirl, with the needle-sized body trailing<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_271"></a>[271]</span> +behind. The white spots revolved rapidly, while the rest +of the wings became a mere gray haze. These weird creatures, +apparently so ethereal and fragile, were hunting for +spiders, and their method was regular and methodical. +From under leaves or from the heart of widespread webs, +good-sized spiders were snatched. A momentary juggling +with the strong legs, a single nip and the spider minus its +abdomen dropped to the mould, while the dragon-fly alighted +and sucked the juices of its victim. If we drew near one of +these spiders on its web, it instantly darted away, sliding +down a silken cable to the ground or dashing into some +crevice, but the approach of the hovering dragon-fly, although +rather deliberate, was unheeded, the spider remaining +quiet until snatched from its place.</p> + +<p>On a tiny jungle creek we alarmed several large, blunt-nosed +brown lizards, with low dorsal crests, which ran up +into the branches to escape us. In this respect they differed +from the big iguanas which always dropped with a +resounding splash into the water at our approach.</p> + +<p>Near some wild plum trees whose fruit was ripe, we found +tracks of deer, agoutis and some of the smaller cats. The +fruit was yellow and oblong in shape with a large stone, and +tasted the way a tonca bean smells—bitter and yet sweet—a +strange concentrated essence of the tropics which excited +one, in that it differed so completely from the taste of any +other fruit.</p> + +<p>Morphos became more abundant from this point on. +Some were wholly iridescent blue above—a blinding, flashing +mirror of azure; others were crossed by a broad band of +black, while in a third species the blue was reduced to a +narrow bar down the centre of the wing. Great yellow +swallow-tailed butterflies and exquisite smaller ones flew +about us. The crocodiles of the Aremu were all small, none +over three feet, and were all black in color.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_272"></a>[272]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="figure117" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure117.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 117. A Wilderness Passion Flower—Simitú.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As we went on we were impressed with the amount of work +which had been necessary to open up this river for the passage +of ballyhoos laden with mine machinery. Six months +ago it had been impassable, except for small Indian canoes, +and these had often to be dragged ashore and around obstructions. +Now the little channel had been opened, and although +for the most part completely overhung with interlacing vines +and branches, yet our ballyhoo wound in and out around the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_273"></a>[273]</span> +tacubas with but little hindrance. The cost of opening it +had been more than $15,000. Huge tree-trunks had to be +sawn through, but even then, the wood of many species +having greater specific gravity than water, the trunks would +sink to the bottom like stones, offering a greater obstruction +than before. Dynamite was then used to clear them from +the bed of the stream.</p> + +<p>In the early afternoon, a beautiful dull-red passion flower +on a climbing vine became common, and we found that its +fruit was edible and called by the natives Simitú. Although +apparently so much at home here, this plant, known as the +Water Lemon (<i>Passiflora laurifolia</i>), is really an escape from +cultivation.</p> + +<p>The river twisted and turned in every direction and the +banks were four to eight feet in height with sloping bars of +sand on the inside bends. Palms were rather scarce, their +place, in appearance at least, being taken by the tall, slender +Congo pump trees with deeply serrated rosettes of leaves. +Tree-ferns appeared in ever increasing numbers and stretched +their graceful fronds from the banks far out over our heads.</p> + +<p>During midday, silence filled these river glades, both birds +and insects resting quietly in the heat, and the only sound was +the regular scraping of the poles against the sides of the +ballyhoo. The heat was not oppressive except in the glaring +sunshine on the water, but such exposure was rare in +these deeply forested recesses. We had had no rain thus +far and the temperature of the mornings and evenings was +delightfully cool. At night we could scarcely keep warm +rolled in a hammock in a thick blanket. Unpleasant insects +were entirely absent, and yet we were travelling in the heart +of a tropical wilderness, which most of us have pictured as +a sizzling, steaming hot-house, teeming with venomous reptiles +and stinging bugs of all descriptions.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_274"></a>[274]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure118" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure118.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 118. Our Camp on the Aremu River.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_275"></a>[275]</span></p> + +<p>About three o’clock, the Goldbirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird115">115</a></span> began calling and +some other species with a single loud whistle. A Cormorant +rose with heavy wing-beats ahead of us, and when we flushed +it the second time we shot it. It was the little Guiana Cormorant<span class="bird"><a href="#bird47">47</a></span> +only twenty-eight inches in length, with eyes of dull +green. A deer broke away from the bank at the sound of +the shot and dashed off.</p> + +<p>That night we made camp in the jungle. A skeleton +shelter roof of poles was thrown up, over which was stretched +a tarpaulin, coming to within six or seven feet of the ground +all around. Then a double row of stout stakes was driven +into the leaf mould along each side and the hammocks slung +from them. They were springy, and one swung not only +sideways but with a slight end for end motion that made +every movement easy.</p> + +<p>While we were making camp we were hailed by a passing +ballyhoo, the occupant of which proved to be Mr. Fowler, +the head of the Colony Department of Lands and Mines, +who had been at the mine on a tour of inspection and was +now on his way back to Georgetown. Hospitable Mrs. +Wilshire at once invited him to come over from his camping +place farther downstream and dine with us. A dinner party +in the “bush!” We all shared the feeling of festivity. The +men hastily constructed a table of the trunks of young saplings, +while the rest of the party hung lighted lanterns from +the overhanging branches. Directly in front of the camp +was a tall, straight Copa tree draped with long hanging bush +ropes dangling from the lowest branches, seventy or eighty +feet up the trunk. The base sent out thin, far-reaching +buttresses, the intervals between which formed natural seats +and closets for our guns and bags. Mr. Fowler’s Indian +hunter brought in several Curassows which we added to the +Cormorant for dinner. Mr. Fowler had seen a Bush-master +(<i>Lachesis mutus</i>) a few hundred yards upstream, the first +poisonous snake of which we had heard on this trip. We +had a merry dinner, Mr. Fowler telling us many an interesting +story of his early days in the colony.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_276"></a>[276]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure119" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure119.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 119. Poling under Tacubas on the Little Aremu.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_277"></a>[277]</span></p> + +<p>The jungle around our camp was alive with sound all night—frogs +chiefly; the wing-beating fellows, the heavily loaded +freight engines, the bleating calves and a new kind which +raised its loud and continuous voice in choking roars. One’s +imagination pictured death struggles between man-like monkeys +and other creatures, the qualities of human and bestial +voices were so blended in this utterance. Vampires flew +about back and forth under our shelter but none bit us. So +strange and wonderful was this night in the “bush” that +for many hours sleep was impossible.</p> + +<p>Early next morning a light rain fell for an hour and through +it we photographed our night’s camp. As the sun shone +dimly through the mist a chorus arose—Woodhewers, Parrots, +Macaws and in the distance the ever thrilling moan of +the red “baboons.”</p> + +<p>The last black pushed off with his pole about eight o’clock +and we settled ourselves for our last day of river travel. +The stream became narrower and more diversified, in places +being not more than twenty-five feet from bank to bank, +then spreading out to twice that width with strange keel-like +sharp rocks projecting from its surface. We elbowed +our way through a perfect maze of dovetailed tacubas and +slanting tree-trunks, which we went around or rubbed along +or scraped over. Sometimes we all had to crouch flat down +to the level of the gunwale to pass under a low trunk, or +again even to climb out on to the log and down into the +ballyhoo on the other side. Now and then a pole would +be wrenched from a negro’s hand as the current or impetus +of the boat twisted it to one side, or the man himself would +be flicked overboard amid roars of laughter from his mates, +who, when he climbed dripping on board again, would inquire +the cause for the sudden desertion of his post.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_278"></a>[278]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp50" id="figure120" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure120.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 120. Tree-ferns on the Little Aremu.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_279"></a>[279]</span></p> + +<p>These tacubas, which are really fallen trees, are the most +apparent danger in the jungle, although the chances of +accident from them are very slight. Along the bank were +many slanting trees, bound sooner or later to give way. On +our return journey down the Aremu we passed, or rather +scraped under, a huge trunk which completely spanned the +creek. It must have fallen about two days before and we +had to push through a perfect tangle of orchids and lianas.</p> + +<p>Tree-ferns twelve feet high draped the banks; spiders of +weird shapes dropped upon us, buoyed up by their long +silken cables; brush-tipped aërial roots dangling at the ends +of plummet lines fifty feet long were drawn from stem to +stern of the boat and across the pages of our journals as we +wrote.</p> + +<p>Half an hour after starting we discovered a Three-toed +Sloth (<i>Choloepus</i>) high up in a tree almost over the water. +Mr. Howell shot the creature and we found it to be of +large size, with long reddish-brown hair. The face, expressionless +as it always is in these animals, had small eyes of a +warm hazel color. Later we had it cooked and found it +quite palatable.</p> + +<p>In many of these tropical growths the new or first leaf-shoots +are pale or brilliant red, this holding good in the case +of the giant moras, several trees with locust-like foliage, and +even the flat, leaf-vines, <i>Monstera</i> or shingle plants, crawling +up the trunks. One small tree with entire leaves and covered +with sweet-scented tassel-shaped flowers, had at least half +its foliage of a pale yellow-green. This is the spring of this +region in so far as such a region of never ending warmth and +moisture may be said to have a spring. On every hand +flowers were in abundance. All were unknown to us, but +most were of large size and varied odor and color. All the +tales of the rarity of flowers in the tropics had not fitted in +with our experiences.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_280"></a>[280]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp63" id="figure121" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure121.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 121. A Sloth in Action.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In the course of three bends of the river, during some +fifteen minutes’ observation, we observed the following in +masses of sufficient size to catch the eye far off and add a +decided color tone to the spot where they grew: purple pea-blooms +in wisteria-like bunches; falling-star white flowers; +pink two-petalled ground flowers in dense clumps; spider +lilies, the large kind; red passion flowers; white tubular +blooms; five-parted purple star-shaped flowers; wild cotton, +in enormous masses of bloom, resembling clematis and as<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_281"></a>[281]</span> +fragrant; long thin racemes of very fragrant, dull greenish +white flowers; brush-like purple blooms, white at the base, +growing sessile on the trunks, with an edible fruit, which +the blacks call “Waika.”</p> + +<p>This list is exclusive of all the many inconspicuous flowers +and all orchids, which were seldom out of sight. Its value +lies only in giving the faintest of hints of the wonderful beauty +of these jungle water trails.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure122" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure122.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 122. A Sloth Asleep.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>On these upper reaches of the stream the two water birds +most in evidence were Tiger Bitterns<span class="bird"><a href="#bird40">40</a></span> and Great Rufous +Kingfishers.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird67">67</a></span> One could write pages trying to describe a +single vista of this beautiful region and yet give only a hint +of its charm. In one place a mighty loop of a lofty bush<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_282"></a>[282]</span> +rope or monkey ladder with ornate woody frills decorating +the edges, hangs swaying high in air across the stream. +Several other giant vines have caught hold and have wormed +their way in serpentine folds along the first great swing. In +the spaces between these huge living cables, seeds and parasitic +plants have taken root and grown, filling up the network +with their aërial bulbs and in turn furnishing rootholds +for an innumerable variety of flowers, ferns, orchids, mosses +and lichens. The mosses are long and fan-shaped like some +species of coral, and the lichens are red, pink, gray and +white. The whole forms, high over our heads, an enormous +hanging garden which no human ingenuity could +duplicate.</p> + +<p>Two hours after starting we reached the place called Two +Mouths and turned into the Little Aremu. In no place is +this stream more than twenty-five feet wide, with low, sloping +sandy or clay banks facing steep ones, first on the right, then +on the left side, according to the bend of the stream and the +force of the current. As we went along a splendid male +Crested Curassow<span class="bird"><a href="#bird4">4</a></span> flew up and was shot, to be added to +our menu. Before we came in sight it was clucking softly.</p> + +<p>A splash around a bend, and sharp claw and toe marks +showed where a capybara (<i>Hydrochoerus capybara</i>) had +just entered the water, and from here on we found such +tracks common on every sandy bank.</p> + +<p>We were amused at our steersman’s occasional orders to +the crew. In places where the current was swift and poling +was very difficult he would shout in a most woful and despairing +voice “O Lord!”, giving us quite a start. We eventually +found that he was intending this ejaculation for “Pole-hard!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_283"></a>[283]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp57" id="figure123" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure123.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 123. Where only Otters and Fish can pass.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_284"></a>[284]</span></p> + +<p>Black-shelled mollusks were common on submerged logs, +and on the banks above the water line were scores of curious +spiders and insects, while dragon-flies of a half dozen or more +species darted swiftly about. Throughout the morning we +were never out of hearing of the hammering of Woodpeckers, +or the cooing of Doves or the laughing, descending scales of +Woodhewers. The Chinese music of the cicadas came +to our ears, a sound which recalled vividly the forests of +Venezuela.</p> + +<p>The water was now at a medium level, but after heavy +rains when it is high, all the great tacubas six feet above our +heads are submerged and much of the land along the river +banks becomes a swamp.</p> + +<p>Farther upstream when the water became very shallow +and the stream narrowed to twelve or fifteen feet, some of us +left the ballyhoo in order to make the work of the blacks +easier, and took to the trail. After a fifteen minutes’ walk +we saw the glimmer of sunshine through the trees and knew +that we had reached the gold mine of the Little Aremu.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_285"></a>[285]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.<br> +<span class="smaller">JUNGLE LIFE AT AREMU.<br> +SOME PAGES FROM MY DIARY.<br> +(<i>By C. William Beebe.</i>)</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>Even more to the Gold Mine of Aremu than to Hoorie is +the application “island” or “oasis” in the jungle, appropriate. +The clearing is about twenty acres in extent, approximately +circular, with the magnificent forest trees crowding +densely to the very edge. The bungalow and mine shaft +are on the summit of a symmetrical hill, which slopes evenly +and steeply down on all sides. The hill is about a hundred +feet in height and yet the trees far down at the foot tower +high above it.</p> + +<p>The concession includes about seven and a half square +miles, and in many places where the rock outcrops, well +paying deposits of gold are visible. At Aremu there is a +soft quartz ledge about eight feet wide running almost +vertically and rich in gold. Often the metal is visible and a +small lens shows the yellow crystals encrusting the white +matrix.</p> + +<p>The first day at Aremu we went down in the mining +bucket, two and two—each clinging to the wire cable and +balancing the opposite person. Down and down went the +swaying bucket, slowly revolving—the heat and sunshine +of the upper air replaced by the cool darkness—damp and +chilly with rich earthen, clayey smells. Eighty-five feet +below the surface the four leads began, one a hundred feet +along the vein. This consists of a ferrugineous gold-bearing +quartz, somewhat decomposed by the dissolving out of +several of its constituents. The candles shed a flickering +light on the slimy, dripping walls and for a few moments one +felt completely confused—so hard was it to stand there +shivering and yet realize that a few yards overhead was +brilliant tropical light and sunshine, gaudy birds and butterflies. +One seemed in a wholly different world.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_286"></a>[286]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure124" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure124.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 124. Aremu Gold Mine, showing Bungalow and Mine Shaft.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_287"></a>[287]</span></p> + +<p>But though forever buried in dripping darkness, there were +as bright colors here as in the living creatures above ground. +Each side of the quartz vein ran an endless series of beautifully +stratified, decomposed, talc-like clays; purest white, +orange, slate-colored, pink, blue, yellow and brown—one +hue succeeding another like some strange fossil rainbow.</p> + +<p>Outside near the bottom of the hill, two gaping holes +showed where the blacks who discovered the gold years +ago worked the ledge by hand—leaving even in their +tailings enough gold to make it well worth working over. +Now electric stamps, run by great boilers, do the work, all +brought up the Little Aremu bit by bit, with the greatest +labor, at seasons of high water.</p> + +<p>Here as at Hoorie a few pork-knockers were allowed to +locate their diminutive claims and glean what superficial +metal they could from surface deposits. A mile away to +the west was a large outcropping known as “England” and +here four or five blacks were working. On each Saturday +night they would bring their little packets of gold to the store +to receive credit checks or receipts. Once as we were crouching +in the jungle watching some “cushie” or parasol ants, +two of these black pork-knockers passed within a yard without +seeing us, each with his little bundle of worldly belongings +on his head, topped by a wooden gold pan.</p> + +<p>I have mentioned panning as the most primitive method of +mining, next to which comes the “Long Tom.” At “England” +we found a third advance—a method of breaking up<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_288"></a>[288]</span> +partly decomposed gold-bearing quartz. A deep narrow pit +showed where the material was found, shovelfuls being +thrown up on two successive ledges before it reached the +surface. It was then carried to an open thatched roof beneath +which was a primitive, two-man power stamp. This +was nothing but a gigantic hammer made of two logs, the hammer +part covered with metal, and the handle hung in a socket, +so that the centre of gravity lay toward the head. Two men, +balancing themselves by clinging to uprights, stepped in +unison on the tip of the handle, their combined weight depressing +it and raising the head; then stepping off suddenly +the hammer came down with great force on a pile of broken +gold-quartz, fed into a hardened hollow beneath it. This +mining enterprise required no less than five men, and they +were taking out about $1.20 each a day.</p> + +<p>Comparing the division of labor among men with that +among cells, we may liken the single “pork-knocker” to an +Amoeba, where a single man and a single cell perform all +the necessary functions; the Long Tom with two men is like +the simpler sponges—where one set of cells secretes the +skeleton of spicules, giving shape to the whole, and another +set lashes the water and absorbs the tiny bits of food. The +crusher with its five men, each performing his individual +labor, corresponds to some slightly higher organism—a +jelly-fish or anemone,—while the electrically run stamps, +employing several score of men, is like the complex cell +machinery of a beetle or butterfly.</p> + +<p>The Aremu Mine clearing had been in existence only about +six months, and the trees which were felled had been sawed up +or burnt so that there was no such abundance of wood-loving +insects as at Hoorie. At night a few Longicorn beetles would +appear and buzz about, but almost no moths. In fact during +our whole stay only one moth of large size was seen. One +small species of moth, with wings of a general rusty-red,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_289"></a>[289]</span> +a light line along the front margin and spreading only an +inch, appeared in numbers on the evening of April 2d. +The following day we saw many of the Gray-rumped Swifts +snatching them from the bushes in the clearing. I brought +a single specimen back and found it was a species new to +science, which has been named <i>Capnodes albicosta</i>.<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[H]</a></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp67" id="figure125" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure125.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 125. Descending the Shaft.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Walking sticks and mantises were more abundant. Some +of the former had well-developed wings on which they +whirred about the bungalow; others had none at all or +reduced to a scale-like vestige. In an individual of a third<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_290"></a>[290]</span> +group the wings, while perfect, were pitiful affairs, mere +mockeries of pinions, barely an inch in extent, while the +body of the insect was almost five inches in length. When +thrown into the air the poor “stick” expanded his wings to +the fullest but wholly in vain. There was just sufficient +spread of wing to act as a parachute and allow him to scale +safely to the ground.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp67" id="figure126" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure126.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 126. Walking Stick Insect.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We watched him several days and never tired of his peculiar +walk, swaying from side to side. Often when at rest +the front pair of legs would be extended parallel with the +antennæ, along the anterior line of the body, making the +imitation twig eight inches over all (<a href="#figure126">Fig. 126</a>).</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_291"></a>[291]</span></p> + +<p>As we walked through the jungle wood roads close to the +clearing, large forest dragon-flies, small tiger beetles (<i>Odontochila +confusa</i>, <i>O. cayennensis</i> and <i>O. lacordairei</i>) and a few +yellow-spotted Heliconias were the most noticeable insects. +One or two of the giant metallic Buprestid beetles (<i>Euchroma +goliath</i>) were sure to be seen flying about the fallen trees, +and our Indian hunter invariably made a dash at them, and +as invariably missed the active, alert creatures.</p> + +<p>Passing by a great mora stump in the clearing, our attention +was attracted one day by a large caterpillar hanging +dangling about two feet from the ground, squirming and +wriggling vigorously. We ran up and saw a most interesting +sight. Through a hole, about three quarters of an inch in +diameter, protruded one of the claws of a good-sized scorpion. +These villainous pincers had a secure grip on two of the long +head spines of the caterpillar, which was dangling helplessly. +As the latter wriggled, the scorpion made attempt after attempt +to draw its victim inside the hole, a most absurd thing, +as from tip to tip of spines the caterpillar measured almost +two inches across. After watching this tableau I caught +the scorpion’s claw in a pair of pliers, drew him out, and, +Milady holding him up with the caterpillar, I photographed +them together.</p> + +<p>The caterpillar was a most gorgeous creature; pale green, +fading into yellowish at the posterior edge of each segment, +while the movable joints were dark brown. On the seven +posterior segments there were six rows of branched spines, +the stalks pale orange and the branches pale blue—the +three colors, green, orange and blue, making a most harmonious +combination. On the anterior five segments there +were two additional rows of spines, small ones, low down on +the sides. The eight spines on the head segment pointed +forward, projecting beyond the head. The longest spines +were on the second, third and caudal segment and were<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_292"></a>[292]</span> +over three quarters of an inch. All the blue branchlets +ended in a dark, tiny needle point, and they stung like nettles +as we found when we accidentally touched some.</p> + +<p>I had never heard of a contest between two such creatures, +and should think the scorpion must have been hard put to it +for food, to make frantic attempts to secure such a prickly +mouthful.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure127" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure127.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 127. Scorpion and Caterpillar after their Battle.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>South of the bungalow, scrubby bush had been allowed +to grow up and here was a scattering of non-forest birds; +three pairs of Silver-beak Tanagers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird146">146</a></span> and a pair of Seed-eaters.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird131">131</a></span> +Gray-rumped Swifts<span class="bird"><a href="#bird72">72</a></span> coursed over the clearing +and Toucans, Macaws and Orange-headed Vultures<span class="bird"><a href="#bird52">52</a></span> were +occasionally seen from the bungalow, while a pair of splendid +Red-crested Woodpeckers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird88">88</a></span> hammered the trunks and +leaped from tree to tree all through the day.</p> + +<p>In the clearing itself we saw little of mammalian life, although +we dined daily on all the bush meat from bush-pig<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_293"></a>[293]</span> +to acourie. The whitened bones of an ocelot lay in perfect +arrangement at the edge of the clearing fifty yards from the +bungalow, picked clean by ants but for some unaccountable +reason untouched by Vultures. The animal had been shot +at night, chicken stealing.</p> + +<p>At daybreak the red howlers came to the edge of the +clearing and awakened us from our slumbers by their wonderfully +weird chant.</p> + +<p>Jaguars were not seen or heard, except one reported by +the mail carrier who runs between Aremu and Perseverance +Landing. Some years ago an Indian near here found a litter +of jaguar cubs containing two normally colored and one +black individual. The latter was purchased by a colonist +and sent to the London Zoo.</p> + +<p>A dull-colored, harmless snake, four feet long, with two rows +of keeled scales along the back, was the only serpent we found +in or near the clearing. Lizards were everywhere and one +very large iguana inhabited a bit of wood-road, but evaded all +our efforts to add him to our mess pot.</p> + +<p>The Amphibians alone in this region would well repay +months of study. Our brief visit gave us only a glimpse of +them. The commonest frog in the jungle near the clearing +was a medium sized, dark-bodied one (<i>Dendrobates trivittatus</i>) +with green legs and two pale green bands, one running around +the front edge of the head, back over the eyes and down the +sides of the body; the second line being beneath the first. +The under parts were covered with blue lines and mottlings. +The first half dozen seen were normal in appearance, but +then one was encountered which instantly drew my attention. +A closer look showed that the back of the animal was covered +with a solid mass of living tadpoles, each over half an inch +in length. When I urged him into a jar, two tadpoles were +scraped off and wriggled vigorously. When put into water +they sank to the bottom and made no attempt to swim,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_294"></a>[294]</span> +although the tail fins were well developed and there was as +yet no trace of limbs.</p> + +<p>I kept this frog in a box with wet earth and a puddle of +water, and two days later half the tadpoles had left his back +and were swimming strongly in the muddy water. They were +attached to the back of their parent only by their sucking +disks, and the object of the strange association seemed only +temporary and not intended to last until the tadpoles became +adult. They would probably drop off and swim away one +by one when their father entered some forest pool. This +species of frog was very active and capable of remarkably +long jumps.</p> + +<p>As I shall mention later, the sharp eyes of my Indian hunter +spied a most remarkable frog in the jungle one day, which I +brought home in my pocket. Its scheme of protective form +and color was perfect—the hue of dried leaves and withered +mosses, with deeply serrated sides and a high irregular ridge +over each eye. I placed it among some dried leaves and +tried to focus on it with my Graflex, but could not find it. +Then I stooped down and although the frog had not moved +and I knew the square yard within which it was resting, it +took me a full minute before I located it, and optically disentangled +it from its surroundings. I have never seen such a +case of complete dissolution and disappearance. When I +alarmed it, the frog closed its eyes—thus obliterating the +dark spots of its irides, and then little by little opened them +again.</p> + +<p>Every evening at half past five o’clock we would troop down +to the stream and swim and paddle about on the sand bars +in the half day—half moonlight. The water was cool and +refreshing and the temperature of the air invigorating at this +hour, and to lie on one’s back and look up at the lofty moras +and other trees stretching their branches fifty yards or more +overhead was a sensation never to be forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_295"></a>[295]</span></p> + +<p>We spent ten days at the Aremu Mine, and it speaks well +for the working possibilities of this region that I was able +to rise at five o’clock in the morning and with intervals only +for meals, keep up steady work—exploring, photographing +and skinning until ten o’clock at night, when usually the +last skin would be rolled up or the last note written. I would +then tumble, happy and dead tired, into bed and know nothing +until the low signal of our Indian hunter summoned me in +the dusk of the following morning. I worked harder than +I ought to have done even in our northern countries and yet +felt no ill effects.</p> + +<p>What impressed me chiefly in regard to the birds of this +region was, first the abundance, and second, the great variety. +In the course of the ten days of our stay, we identified 80 +species of birds, and observed at least a full two hundred more +which we were unable to classify except as to family or genus. +Wishing to study the birds alive I refrained from shooting as +much as possible and chose to make this expedition rather +one of preparation in learning what tropical wood-craft I +could from an excellent Indian hunter, than of gathering a +collection and thereby a lengthy list of mere names. When, +sometime in the future, we return to this splendid field of +study and spend months in careful observation of some +such limited region, we may hope to add something of real +value to our knowledge of the ecology of these most interesting +forms of tropical life. We have the results of the +collector, par-excellence, in our museum cases of thousands +of tropical bird-skins. Now let us learn something of the +environment and life history of the living birds themselves.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_296"></a>[296]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure128" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure128.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 128. Milady and the Giant Mora Tree.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_297"></a>[297]</span></p> + +<p>It is against my rule to write in diary form, but owing to +the limited time we spent at Aremu and the series of events, +some of which extended over two or three days, I have +made an exception in this case and will put down a few of +the incidents of jungle life in the order in which I observed +them. Far from giving all the observations made here on +birds and other creatures, I have included only those of +greatest interest, which will convey an idea of the conditions +of life here as compared to those in our northern woods and +forests.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">March</span> 28th.—Leaving the house before noon I crossed +the Little Aremu by a foot bridge, at the western edge of the +clearing. The stream here flows gently and smoothly; it is +from one to four feet deep, and ten to fifteen feet wide. +Following it upstream, one is stopped within a few yards by +a perfect tangle and maze of interlocked vines and trunks +showing what it was like lower down before the hand of +man hewed and blasted a free channel. The forest about +the mine clearing is probably near the extreme, even of +tropical growth. One feels absolutely dwarfed as one gazes +up—far up, at the lofty branches, where birds like tiny +insects are flying about, in a world by themselves. The +trunks are clean, hard and straight as marble columns and +the undergrowth is thin, giving access in almost any direction, +yet dense enough to harbor many species of birds and +animals.</p> + +<p>Turning south along a wood road, I started on my first +tramp into the jungle. It was the hottest part of the day, +but there was all the difference in the world between sun and +shade, and here in the recesses of the forest it was pleasantly +cool, and birds and insects were abundant.</p> + +<p>One of the first sounds which came to my ears was a loud, +intermittent rustling among the dried leaves, marked now +and then by a low grunt. Crawling up quietly behind a +great mossy log, I peered over and was surprised to find +that I had been stalking a huge tortoise. I certainly might +reasonably have expected to see a mammal instead of a reptile, +as our tortoises of the north are not in the habit of +attracting our attention by their vocal efforts. This was a<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_298"></a>[298]</span> +South American Tortoise (<i>Testudo tabulata</i>) of the largest +size, not far from two feet in length, and he was busy rooting +in the ground for some small nuts which had fallen in great +quantities from the tree overhead and settled among the +débris of the leaf mould. The shell of the tortoise was high +and arched, dark brown in color with a bright yellow centre +in each shield. There were two deep abrasions on the shell, +apparently caused by the teeth of some carnivore.</p> + +<p>These tortoises were very common and we had many delicious +soups and stews made of their meat. They were, +however, heavy and awkward to carry and we never bothered +to bring them home unless on the return journey and near +the clearing. In one individual we found eight eggs about to +be deposited.</p> + +<p>My wood road led up a gentle incline down which logs had +been skidded, and after a half mile it merged gradually into +the jungle. At the last sign of the axe I sat down on a fallen +trunk and quietly waited. Three Blue Honey Creepers<span class="bird"><a href="#bird136a">136a</a></span>—two +males and one green female,—dashed here and there +in the branches close overhead. They uttered sharp cheeps, +until the males flew at each other and began fighting furiously—ascending +for fifty feet in a whirling spiral of hazy +blue and black, and then clinching and falling to earth, +where they clung together claw to claw, and pecked viciously +and in silence, their beautiful plumage disheveled and broken. +The lady—heartless cause of all this terrible strife—cheeped +in low tones overhead and nonchalantly plucked invisible +dainties from the undersides of leaves. I took a step toward +the combatants and they separated and vanished, the lady, +be it noted, following swiftly in their wake.</p> + +<p>Close upon this melodrama came a fairy Manakin, black +with a conspicuous white chin. I never saw another and +cannot identify it, distinctly marked though it was. Through +the forest came the low belling of Green Cassiques;<span class="bird"><a href="#bird150">150</a></span> then<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_299"></a>[299]</span> +no sound save the drowsy hum of insects high overhead. +The most frequent noise came from falling leaves, twigs and +branches—yes, leaves, for “gently as a falling leaf” in this +tropic world might mean, “like the stroke of a sledge hammer!” +The realization comes again, as a yellow leaf eddies +past my seat, that autumn is distributed throughout the whole +year, while the freshly opening pink and reddish shoots on +every hand show that spring is never absent.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp71" id="figure129" style="max-width: 29.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure129.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 129. Aërial Roots of Bush-rope.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>I observed something circling about in an opening to my +left and on examining it found a peculiar flat cake-like wasp +nest, with the solitary pair of owners (<i>Polybia</i> sp.) on the rim.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_300"></a>[300]</span> +It was attached to the extremity of a long, slender bush-thread +dangling from a great distance above. There was +not a breath of air and the secret of the circling motion—the +nest moving irregularly in an ellipse of about ten feet—was +not solved until with my glasses I made out a small +monkey—a marmoset apparently—clinging to a branch +near where the bush-thread started. The little creature had +found some store of food in a hollow or crevice of the bark. +To get his hand in, he was compelled to push aside the dangling +curtain of aërial root-threads, and this occasional motion +was enough to send the end, far below, sailing around in a +large circle.</p> + +<p>As I resumed my seat, a great beetle, like a polished emerald, +alighted close beside me,—not heavy and blundering, +like a June-bug or scarab, but nervous, flicking its wings +wasp-like, ready at an instant’s alarm to whirr away as swiftly +as light. A beautifully marked Longicorn beetle buzzed +past and alighted ten feet up a sapling, leaving me eying it +enviously, atremble with all my boyhood’s collecting ardor. +Heliconias sailed slowly past and one of the beautiful transparent +jungle butterflies alighted at my feet, with only a few +dots of azure revealing the position of the wings. White and +yellow butterflies floated high in air, where a hundred kinds +of flowers flashed out among the green foliage.</p> + +<p>Lizards were abundant in this little clearing, slipping along +fallen trees with sudden rushes and halts, or tearing madly +after each other with loud rustlings through the fallen leaves. +Some were beautifully colored, splashed with blue, orange and +green; while other dark ones had a network of delicate light +lines crossing the back, cutting the creatures up into likenesses +of small lichened leaves.</p> + +<p>When the sun shone out brightly, two or three minute +midges danced before my eyes—otherwise I was free from +the “insect scourges” of the tropics!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_301"></a>[301]</span></p> + +<p>The trees on this and all later days constantly drew from +us exclamations of delight. They were magnificent, awe-inspiring, +and if I could think of any stronger word of appreciation +I should apply it at once to them. Their immensity +and apparent age made one reflect upon the transiency of +animal and human existence. Even the long-lived Parrots +and Macaws perching on their branches seemed like may-flies +of a day compared with these giants of the jungle, which +had watched century upon century pass.</p> + +<p>As I looked at the circle of trees bordering the clearing—a +clearing which itself was the result of the felling of only one +such giant—the great variety of trees was at once noticeable. +Near relatives—brothers and sisters, or fathers and sons—could +not exist within each other’s shadow. So it was that +a dozen kinds were visible from my seat. One splendid +fellow sent up a perfectly rounded grayish column, one +hundred and fifty feet or more, propped with a single great +fox-colored buttress, sweeping gracefully out from the weaker +side of the ground hold of the trunk, like the train of a court +lady’s dress.</p> + +<p>Another column was round but deeply fluted, the trunk +being rimmed with a succession of scallops, while in a third +tree known as Paddle-wood, this was carried to an extreme, +the trunk being little more than the point of juncture of a +dozen thin blade-like sheets of wood. The whole was of a +beautiful leaden-gray color.</p> + +<p>The moras were the biggest and tallest trees within sight, +and sent out huge buttresses, twenty feet in all directions +with space between them for a good-sized room. The impression +of security was perfect—it seemed as if the strongest +of winds could never overcome such a reinforced structure.</p> + +<p>Hearing near at hand the strange cicada <i>whirr!</i> which we +have described in a previous chapter (<a href="#Page_23">page 23</a>), I watched +for the insect and soon traced the sound to a very large<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_302"></a>[302]</span> +cicada high up on the trunk of a tree. Wishing to identify +it and lacking other means of getting it, I backed away +some distance and brought it down with a 22 calibre shot +cartridge. It is a remarkable country indeed where one goes +gunning for bugs! And not only this, but I only winged my +game! one pellet of lead breaking the main vein of the right +wing, bringing the insect to the ground where it buzzed and +flopped about until I caught and chloroformed it.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful species almost three inches in length +with transparent wings marbled with wavy black markings, +and with the thorax and abdomen ornamented with tufts of +golden and brown hair (<i>Cicada grossa</i>).</p> + +<p>Keeping to the left through the open underbrush I intersected +another wood road, then swung around and at last +entered the clearing from the southeast. Hearing a rustling +I suspected another tortoise, and was about to pass on when +I saw leaves and twigs flying into the air behind a log. +Creeping from tree to tree I saw that the commotion was +made by a trio of Ant-thrushes or, as I prefer to call them, +Antbirds. They took the leaves and leaf mould in their +beaks and threw them over their backs, all three working +side by side, covering a width of about two feet. They were +Woodcock Antbirds,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird93">93</a></span> reminding one, in the general tone of +coloration of the upper parts, of that bird. The chin and +throat were black bordered with white which extended up +the sides of the neck and forward over the eyes. The tail +was short and often held erect over the back, while the strong +legs and feet proclaimed them terrestrial rather than arboreal. +When flying or excited, a row of white spots flashed out from +all the wing feathers save the first two primaries, but when +the wings were closed only buff markings were visible. Now +and then two of the birds would spy some morsel of food at +the same instant and a tussel would ensue. With angry scolding +cries the two contestants would strike at each other with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_303"></a>[303]</span> +their beaks, with wings wide spread and the elongated feathers +of the back raised and parted, exposing the conspicuous white +base of the plumes, almost like a rosette. These white +stars were very conspicuous amid the dark shadows of the +forest floor, vanishing instantly when the wings were lowered. +This color was not visible in flight. Many of the species of +this group of birds have a similar concealed dorsal spot, and +it must serve some definite purpose. When the matter of +dispute was devoured or had crawled away into safety, the +quarrel was at once forgotten and the birds began scratching +peacefully side by side as before.</p> + +<p>A short distance beyond I encountered what I found +later was the most common assemblage of birds to be +found in this region—a flock of Antbirds and Woodhewers, +with a few other species, such as Flycatchers and +Tanagers. One could not take even a short walk in the +forest hereabouts without observing several such flocks, +numbering from a dozen to fifty or more individuals.</p> + +<p>The Antbirds comprise a family, <i>Formicariidae</i>, of which +more than two hundred and fifty species are known. +They are rather generalized passerine birds, which are found +only in the tropical forests of northern South America. +Inconspicuous in color and retiring in habits it is only when +one becomes familiar with these tropical jungles that one +realizes how numerous these birds really are. Their notes +are usually uttered only at intervals and are often difficult +to locate. They creep silently among the lower branches +or, as we have seen, search the ground for the insects which +form their food. The name Ant-thrush is rather a misnomer, +for they are not Thrushes, and while they are always +attendant upon the swarms of hunting ants yet they seldom +feed upon the ants themselves, but on the insects stirred up +by the ferocious insects.</p> + +<p>We know but little about the nesting habits of these birds,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_304"></a>[304]</span> +and we were unable to locate a nest during our brief stay although +we knew that several were breeding near the clearing.</p> + +<p>Like most other tropical families, Antbirds have been +compelled by competition to specialize, and we find some +Shrike-like in habits as well as appearance; others resembling +the long-legged Pittas of the East Indies, while the majority +parallel Wrens, Warblers or Thrushes.</p> + +<p>The Woodhewers of the well-named family <i>Dendrocolaptidae</i>, +or Tree-chisellers, form with the Antbirds a considerable +percentage of the smaller forest birds of this +region. There are not far from three hundred forms of +these birds, all of dull colors—rufous or brown tones prevailing.</p> + +<p>Woodhewers in the main parallel the Woodpeckers, and +especially the Brown Creepers, in their method of obtaining +food. Their claws and feet are strong, the legs short, and +the tail feathers in the majority of species are stiff and spine-like. +They hitch up the trunks of trees, finding their food +in the chinks and crevices of bark, but not boring into the +wood like Woodpeckers. While the stiff tails show that all +have probably descended from tree-creeping ancestors, some +Woodhewers have deserted the trunks and have become +Warbler-like in haunt and habit. Such a one is the Cinnamon +Spine-tail<span class="bird"><a href="#bird94">94</a></span> or “Rootie” (<a href="#Page_379">p. 379</a>). In the tropical forest +however, Woodhewers differ but little in their method of +locomotion, and one or more of these fox-colored birds hitching +up a great trunk is one of the commonest sights. There +is remarkable adaptiveness in the bills, some being stout and +blunt, others long and curved.</p> + +<p>The notes of these birds are, with the calls of the Toucans +and Cotingas, among those most frequently heard. In the +early morning especially, the sweet descending scales of single +notes from various parts of the forest forms a feature which +is seldom lacking.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_305"></a>[305]</span></p> + +<p>Just before I reached the clearing I flushed two labbas +or pacas (<i>Coelogenys paca</i>) which ran squealing almost from +under my feet. These are rodents, looking like giant +Guinea-pigs about two feet in length, with brown fur spotted +with white. Their flesh is the most delicate of all the “bush +meat.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Howell followed my tracks later in the afternoon and +brought home a Tamandua, or Lesser Anteater (<i>Tamandua +tetradactyla</i>), which he shot in a tree. This creature is rather +sloth like in color and in development of its claws, but its +tail is prehensile, and nothing more unlike could be +imagined than the heads of the two animals, that of the +sloth short, round and blunt; the anteater’s long, slim and +pointed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">March</span> 29th.—We had an excellent illustration this morning +of how easily one can get a totally wrong idea of the animal +and bird life of a tropical forest. Nine of us started out along +a faint trail used by black “pork-knockers,” which, after several +miles of twisting and turning, led to an outcropping of +gold, known as “England,” all on Mr. Wilshire’s concession. +Throughout the whole tramp, although we lagged behind, +we noted not a single bird or animal of interest save for +a scattering of Toucans and Parrots. Every living creature +fled before us or remained hidden. One might thus tramp +across a continent and report the tropics to be barren of life, +except in the tree-tops. Not only this, but the few birds +which flew over or were otherwise seen momentarily were +without exception brilliantly colored, and this would help to +sustain the wide-spread impression that tropical birds are +invariably of bright plumage, which is very untrue. There +are really more dull-colored than brilliant birds in the +tropics.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_306"></a>[306]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure130" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure130.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 130. Tamandua.</span> (Photo. by Sanborn.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_307"></a>[307]</span></p> + +<p>At last I slip aside, let my companions go on, and make a +detour to the left of the trail. Here in the heart of the jungle +I discover an overgrown clearing with the skeleton of a hut +in the centre. The ruin itself is a thing of exquisite beauty, +the half-decayed uprights and roof saplings being interlaced +and overhung with vines, the brilliant scarlet, poppy-like +passion flowers crowning all. From the blossoms comes a +busy hum of insects, in sharp contrast to the silence of the +trail along which we have come. In the virgin forest there +is ever sharp contrast. Brilliant bits of sunlight alternate +with blackest shadow; deathly silence is broken by the ear-piercing +call of the Goldbird; the dull earthy smell of the +mould is suddenly permeated by the rare sweet incense of +some blossom or the penetrating musk of an animal or some +huge hemipterous insect.</p> + +<p>In a clearing—even a deserted one like this and only a +few yards in extent—all is toned down. The odors are +diffused and difficult to analyze; the droning of bees alternates +only with the sharper whirr of a Hummingbird’s wings, +either the brown White-eyebrowed one,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird73">73</a></span> or the beauty with +long sweeping tail.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird75">75</a></span> The Rufous-breasted Hummingbirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird74">74</a></span> +are abundant here and have quite a sweet song, a trill of +twelve or fifteen notes, slow at first but rapidly increasing and +ascending.</p> + +<p>The half hidden framework of the hut with the collapsed +shelf and table, tell of man’s past presence; so do the papaw, +sugar-cane and banana run riot; and suddenly we hear the +sweet rollicking song of a little House Wren,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird124">124</a></span> man’s follower, +filling the deserted glade with sweetness; probably +hoping that soon he will return and reclaim this fast vanishing +oasis. For when the trees and vines—already reaching +up over the papaw and bananas—close densely in, as they +surely will, the jungle will become sovereign again, and +then the pair of tiny birds will flee. Not for them are the +dark silences, the tall sombre trunks. Their jubilant little +souls crave light and companionship. Many of the birds of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_308"></a>[308]</span> +the tropical jungle have sweet single notes and calls—but +most have harsh primitive voices. All are characterized by +a solemnity or plaintiveness of tone, and none that I can +recall have the joyful theme which fills the song of this little +pioneer from more civilized regions; a song which is out +of place away from mankind. Their sweetness has touched +the heart of the native Guianans, who call these Wrens +God-birds.</p> + +<p>It is nine o’clock, cloudy and cool, and I am sitting near +the old hut and write on a trunk fallen across the trail. A +shuffling of feet comes to my ears and soon a good-sized opossum, +but smaller than ours of the north, trots swiftly toward +me. Not until he gets within arm’s reach does he realize +that something is wrong. I sit as immovable as stone and +he puts a grimy little hand on the very edge of this journal. +His nose works furiously, his rat-like beady eyes fairly bulge. +Then he turns, just as I grab at his tail, but his hind claws +scratch my arm so severely that I loose him, and he flees back +on his trail—rolling awkwardly along but making remarkably +good time. He was probably on his way home after an +early morning’s hunt. Thus the jungle folk have already +begun to close in on this deserted clearing.</p> + +<p>An hour later as I am kneeling quietly some six feet from +the log, busy liberating a beautiful little butterfly from the +tangle of a spider’s web, I am surprised to see the same +opossum trot past. I know him because he has a kink +in one ear. To see what the little fellow would do I leap +toward him, but he has encountered me once and come to no +harm, so he will not be turned back again. Instead of dodging +me, the opossum only increases his speed, crosses the +log, drops out of sight among the bushes, snorts twice to +himself, and is swallowed up forever by the dark jungle. +This log is apparently his regular highway, and he chooses +to risk my apparently fierce onslaught and to run over the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_309"></a>[309]</span> +opened journal, bag, hat and gun, rather than change to a +new path along another tree trunk a few feet farther along +the trail.</p> + +<p class="tb">We mortals sometimes have faint hints of coming events, +and as I was leaving the clearing I instinctively kept all my +senses on the alert. I had proceeded only a few yards into +the jungle when some of the sweetest flute-like notes I have +ever heard came from a patch of underbrush ahead. What +could it be! I knew that no human being could whistle +like that, and when they were repeated I realized how coarse +any flute would sound in comparison. Nothing in this world +but a bird could utter such wonderful notes. My memory +recalled descriptions of the Quadrille-bird<span class="bird"><a href="#bird125">125</a></span> and I knew I +was at last listening to it.</p> + +<p>Our northern ravines have their Hermit Thrush; the canyons +of Mexico are transfigured by the melody of the Solitaire +and here in the deepest, darkest jungles in the world arises +the spirit of the forest in song—the hymn of the Necklaced +Jungle Wren. Dropping everything which would impede +my progress, I crawled slowly and silently over the soft mould +until I was close to the patch of thick brush. Then I waited +and prayed, and the gods of the Naturalist were good, and a +little brown form flitted up to a low branch and from the +feathered throat came the incomparable tones of the fairy +flute. The bird sang a phrase (I) of six to ten notes at a time. +This was repeated several times, when an entirely new theme +(II) was begun, which was given only once, then a third (III) +and fourth were tried. Each note was distinct, and of the +sweetest, most silvery character imaginable. In all but two +phrases the invariable end consisted of two notes exactly an +octave apart, the last like an ethereal harmonic. Twice the +tones were loud and penetrating, twice they came so faintly +that one’s ear could hardly disentangle them from the silence.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_310"></a>[310]</span></p> + +<p>Birds with scale-like songs are far from uncommon: in +the north the Field Sparrow; in Mexico the Canyon Wren; +here the Woodhewers, but this was wholly new, phrase after +phrase each differing from the preceding. How I longed +for a phonograph! I scrawled a staff on a bit of paper and +pin-pricked the notes where they seemed to come and reproduce +them here. But what a parody they are, be they +whistled or played!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music4" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music4.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music4.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music4.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music5" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music5.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music5.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music5.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music6" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music6.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music6.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music6.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The Necklaced Jungle Wren,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird125">125</a></span> or Quadrille-bird as the +natives know it, is a true Wren barely four inches in length, +brown above, with a black collar spangled with white. The +face, throat and breast are rich rufous, with the lower parts +pale brown. This is the singer. The song no man may +describe!</p> + +<p>A small deer sprang up at my left, and I had walked some +distance in that direction when I suddenly realized that I had +missed the trail, and had been following an imaginary opening +through the jungle. On closer examination this proved +to be a deer trail leading to a small spring of clear water. I +will never forget the first thought of terror at being lost in +this endless forest. In one direction a few miles away lay +the bungalow; in the opposite direction one might wander +for weeks without meeting even an Indian. As this thought +came I espied a little scarab beetle resting in the hollow of +a leaf, who, as I looked, climbed slowly to the rim, wriggled +his antennæ and took to wing. What a wonderful power of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_311"></a>[311]</span> +scent it was which was directing him straight as a magnet, +to some far distant bit of decaying flesh, and with what marvellous +vision the Vulture high overhead spied me and hung +for a moment watching me through a break in the foliage! +How dull and inefficient seemed all my organs of sense in +such a crisis as this. For a few moments I devoted myself +to discovering which was north, and from which direction +I had come. The cloudy sky and the sameness of all the +vistas through the jungle completely foiled me, and I had to +give it up and ignominiously unravel my puzzle deliberately +and unromantically. I stuck my long-handled butterfly +net in the ground and began to describe circles about it—widening +them gradually, until on the third round I intersected +the trail and went on my way.</p> + +<p>The danger of being lost is by no means an imaginary one, +and even with a compass it is sometimes difficult to retrace +one’s tracks. The Indians themselves have to guard against +becoming confused when in a new region. Before I reached +the main trail, and met the returning party, I saw a number +of the exquisite White-capped Manakins,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird109">109</a></span> clad in shining +black save for their snowy caps. Their flight, unlike their +white-breasted cousins which we met in Venezuela, was +noiseless. They were far from silent however, twanging +their little vocal chords in an apology for a song—a wheezy, +grasshopper-like buzz. The females were silent, sombre +little beings—dull olive green above, with a grayish cap +and paler below.</p> + +<p>After lunch at one o’clock in the afternoon, I started out +again and climbed to the summit of a densely forested hill, +southeast of the mine clearing. The tree-tops were filled +with birds and not for a moment was I entirely out of sight +or sound of one or more species. A few yards from the clearing +I followed up an excited cackling and found a pair of +splendid Red-crested Woodpeckers.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird88">88</a></span> They had a nest in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_312"></a>[312]</span> +a tall dead stub and were trying to dislodge an iguana which +was steadily crawling up a neighboring branch. A moment +after I came into sight one of them struck the lizard with +its wings, whereupon the iguana reared up and lunged with +open mouth, the birds then ceasing their attack upon the +inoffensive saurian.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="figure131" style="max-width: 26.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure131.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 131. Agouti.</span> (Photo by Sanborn.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>What splendid birds the Woodpeckers are—strong, active, +full of vitality and enthusiasm over life. These were big fellows,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_313"></a>[313]</span> +black above, variegated on shoulders and head with +white; thickly barred below and with a long crest of blazing +scarlet. They spent much of their time near the bungalow, +and when they drummed steadily their scarlet head-plumes +seemed a living flaming haze.</p> + +<p>Near the summit of the hill a tall Silverballi had been felled +and sawed by hand into boards. This had made a small +clearing like the one I visited yesterday. The trees were +filled with many species of birds attracted by the abundant +insect life, some of which I knew and made notes upon, +while most were unknown to me. A group of tiny feathered +beings was busy catching midges near the top of one of the +highest trees, their sharp <i>cheeps!</i> coming faintly down to me. +Hopeless of ever observing them at closer range, I secured +one and found it to be a Buff-tailed Tyrantlet.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird107">107</a></span> This waif +of the upper air was less than three and a half inches in length +with rather unusual coloring, the fore part of the body gray, +the back, wings, lower breast and tail rufous. Its claim to +the Flycatcher family was proved by the broad beak and +remarkably long bristles. One must have an aëroplane or, +more practically, an observing station in the tree-tops to study +these and a hundred other interesting birds at close range. +With a couple of hundred spikes as a ladder, I intend some +day to make one of these mighty trees give up many of its +secrets.</p> + +<p>As I was about to seat myself on the ground beyond the +clearing, a big Guan<span class="bird"><a href="#bird5">5</a></span> or Maroodie, as we learned to call it +here, arose with a loud cackling cry and a rush of wings. +Simultaneously a dark-colored animal slipped into a hole +freshly excavated some twenty feet away.</p> + +<p>I lay prone, waiting for some other unexpected manifestation +of life, but all was quiet. Then I prepared to watch for +the reappearance of the unknown burrowing creature, and +pressed my face close among the ferns where I could just see<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_314"></a>[314]</span> +the entrance. A minute passed and directly across my line +of vision, a few inches away from my face, crawled, as rapidly +as it could move, a very large caterpillar almost four inches +in length. Never have I seen a more remarkable looking +one. Its ground color was a peculiar dark wine-red or purple, +like the plumage of the Pompadour Cotinga. From the +sides of the back projected brush-like tufts of red and black +hair, while a continuous line of dense golden hair extended +out from the body just above the feet. Over six segments +was drawn a pale yellow pattern of the most delicate lace-like +markings, a dainty network different on each segment. +Altogether it was a wondrous creature and entirely put the +burrowing mammal out of mind.</p> + +<p>I carried it to our improvised laboratory on the veranda +of the bungalow, but it refused food of all description, and +day by day became smaller in size and duller in color. Instead +of dying, it transformed one night into a large, beautiful +chrysalid, yellow-green with a pale bloom over the surface. +It was an inch and a half in length, thick-set in the centre +and tapering rapidly. The joint between the fifth and sixth +segments was hinged and the terminal portion would swing +vigorously from side to side. The spiracle on the sixth +segment was cream colored and much longer than the others, +while the bottom of the chrysalid ended in two short, brownish +spines. Seventeen days later in Georgetown, a beautiful +orange-shaded Morpho butterfly emerged. I looked it up +in a curious old volume, “The Insects of Suriname” by +Madame Merriam, written many years ago, and found it was +a rare insect, <i>Morpho metellus</i>, light orange on the fore-wings, +shading toward the body into pale green and on the hinder +wings to velvety black. From tip to tip it spreads six inches.</p> + +<p>On this tramp I heard at least a dozen unusually loud or +musical calls and whistles, new to me, which I could not trace +to their authors. In one case, however, I was successful.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_315"></a>[315]</span> +Creeping up to a low, thick patch of brush, a splendid scarlet +bird flew out and alighted twenty yards away, again giving +utterance to its characteristic loud whistle. To-day I was +contented with listening and watching, but later I secured +the bird as I could not otherwise identify it. It was what I +have christened the Black-headed Scarlet Grosbeak,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird134">134</a></span> differing +from the description of this species in being 8⅜ instead of +7½ inches in length. It was scarlet below, dull red above, +with a scarlet necklace and a jet black head and throat. A +yellowish female showed herself for only a moment. The +whistle was loud and penetrating, but sweet in quality. The +first theme had three distinct phrases which may be represented +thus:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="birdsong1" style="max-width: 18.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/birdsong1.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p>The second consisted of three scales, the first ascending one +being more abrupt than the succeeding ones, thus:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="birdsong2" style="max-width: 23.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/birdsong2.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p>When the first bird ceased, another took up the whistle as +long as I remained near the place. What splendid birds +these would be in an aviary, striking both in color and notes. +The nest, eggs and young, as is the case with so many South +American birds, are unknown.</p> + +<p>Goldbirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird115">115</a></span> were calling all through the woods, and +when one paid close attention, considerable variation was +apparent in their notes. One individual uttered the <i>wheé! +wheé! o!</i> twice in quick succession with the two introductory +phrases (<i>vide</i> <a href="#Page_189">page 189</a>) only before the first call. This was +repeated three times and then the bird reverted to the usual +single utterance. On my way home two agoutis sprang up +before me and I secured one for the general mess.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_316"></a>[316]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.<br> +<span class="smaller">JUNGLE LIFE AT AREMU.<br> +SOME PAGES FROM MY DIARY (<i>continued</i>).<br> +(<i>By C. William Beebe.</i>)</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>For our supply of meat we depended altogether upon +the efforts of an Indian hunter who made daily excursions +from the clearing after game, and who never failed to +come back heavily laden with some one of eight or ten +varieties of edible birds or mammals. He was an Arrawak, +going by the name of Francis, his real Indian name being of +course never revealed. Like most of the Indians we met, +he was quiet, serious and taciturn, but I had the good fortune +early to win his approbation and to satisfy him that, while my +hunting clothes were no match for his copper-colored skin +in stalking animals, yet I could manage to get through the +woods without any great noise or bustle. The only personal +information I could obtain from him was that he was born on +the upper Mazaruni, had a brother and two sisters and was +“’bout four hand” (twenty) years old. He got fifty cents a +day and his food for hunting and slept in a tiny hammock +swung beneath the bungalow floor. The Indian hunter at +Hoorie was paid sixty-eight cents a day without rations.</p> + +<p>Francis and I had some interesting tramps together and +one of my most enjoyable memories of these great tropical +jungles is of this little red-man, short, well-built, muscular and +absolutely tireless. I found him to be a great help in searching +for certain rare birds and animals, and I learned a good +deal of jungle craft from him. As one example among many<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_317"></a>[317]</span> +things, I noticed that he never stepped on a log or fallen tree, +and it was not until I had crashed through and hurt my ankle +on one which had been undermined by ants that I realized how +excellent a rule this was. A log of apparently the hardest +wood might be but a shell thin as paper. The facility with +which Francis found his way about in rain as well as sunshine +was a puzzle, until by careful watching I found he was constantly +making new trails by breaking, in the direction of the +trail, tiny twigs, the leaves of which were of a slightly different +color beneath. Such a mark every fifteen or twenty feet +was almost a hopeless clue for me at first, although ultimately +I learned to discover them more readily. As the breaking +made no noise and was accomplished by the least motion of +the hand, it was long before I detected it. When I went out +alone I chose to leave a “blaze” every <i>ten</i> feet!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">March</span> 30th.—At daybreak we started out on our first +tramp, I with camera, bag, gun and glasses. Half a mile +from the clearing I cached the camera and bag, the pace being +such that I could not keep up while carrying them. I have +hunted in Canada and elsewhere with first-rate guides and +backwoodsmen, but this was a very different matter. From +the moment we entered the jungle the whole demeanor of +Francis was changed. He walked like a cat and <i>never for a +moment</i> relaxed his vigilance, and therein he differed from a +white man, who would unconsciously relax when he thought +game was still some distance away. His figure slipped silently +on ahead of me, flowing under trunks, passing around the +densest clumps of underbrush, while I followed and imitated +as best I could, learning every minute more than I had ever +known of the art of effacing oneself in the wilderness. Every +step was made carefully and the entire field of view ahead +swept, and every significant sound noted. A branch would +fall with a series of resounding crashes and the Indian would +apparently not hear it, while a cracking twig or a low rustle<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_318"></a>[318]</span> +which I could scarcely detect would lead him off in an entirely +new direction, not necessarily toward the sound, but often +to flank it or get to leeward of it. During the first two or +three hours we would give our whole attention to hunting, +but when the day’s supply was provided, we then stalked the +birds and wild creatures and watched them, as closely as we +could.</p> + +<p>Our first tramp was in a general south or southeast direction, +passing over a succession of hills, five in all, three of +which were high and quite steep, but all of about the same +diameter with regular slopes and flat, narrow valleys. These +were mostly swampy, or if dry had a stream flowing slowly +along the middle. Agoutis were abundant in such places and +we could always depend on obtaining them when desired.</p> + +<p>As we left the bungalow I had laughingly asked Mrs. +Wilshire what meat she desired for dinner and she said +“Venison.” So when I told Francis, in the broken English +which we must use in talking to these Indians, that we must +get deer, he nodded and disdained the agoutis. If I had +said, “Francis, we must be sure to get deer to-day in preference +to other game,” he would have understood not a +word. But “Shoot-um deer, eh? no accourie, no labba, no +maipurie,” outlined the day’s work perfectly in his mind. I +was rather reluctant to use this <i>um! ugh!</i> language at first; +it savored too much of theatrical Indian dialect or of +“penny dreadful” wild-west jargon, but it soon became +perfectly natural and was really necessary.</p> + +<p>After a half-hour’s walk Francis motioned me to take the +greatest care, and pressed my shoulder lower until I was +almost on my knees while we slowly crept around a great +mora trunk. He pointed steadily ahead, but after a three-minute +scrutiny I could discern not a sign of life. Then he +raised his gun and fired, and set loose a half dozen feathered +bombs, or so it sounded as a flock of nearly full-grown<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_319"></a>[319]</span> +Guiana Crested Tinamou<span class="bird"><a href="#bird2">2</a></span> arose with a roar. I secured +one with a quick snap shot and we tied up the brace of birds +with a slender tough bush-thread. Fastening head, feet and +wings together, the Indian tied them ingeniously around his +waist, the birds hanging down behind out of the way.</p> + +<p>At the sound of the guns three tiny male Purple-throated +Euphonias<span class="bird"><a href="#bird138">138</a></span> clad in purple jackets, yellow caps and waistcoats, +came down to see what the noise was about. They +were ridiculously tame and sang their simple chattering song +in our very faces.</p> + +<p>In the fourth valley we found a perfect maze of agouti +tracks mingled with the fresh imprint of a tapir’s feet. +Francis showed me the spot where he had shot one of these +“bush-cows” the week before. A few yards beyond we +found a deer’s track and in some way the Indian seemed +to know that the animal was close at hand. We crawled +silently for twenty or thirty yards through a shallow creek, +then separated and crept along the slope, one on each side. +A sudden rustling of vines came from a bend in the stream +and we both caught sight of the bright rufous flanks of a deer. +We secured it and then for some reason Francis remained +perfectly quiet for five minutes while a delightful bit of +wilderness life appeared close to me.</p> + +<p>The smoke from my gun was still clinging to the great fern +fronds overhead, when a second deer, a doe, walked fearlessly +past along the opposite slope, stopping to nibble at a leaf +now and then, and at last vanished in the underbrush. I +was about to climb down to the deer we had shot when I +heard a splash and a weak little bleat, and, looking at a pool +ahead, there I spied the tiniest of fawns standing in the +shallows, looking full at me, and now then splashing the +water.</p> + +<p>I whistled and the little thing started toward me fearlessly, +standing knee-deep in the water, its tiny rufous form decorated<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_320"></a>[320]</span> +with three lines of spots, every one of which was perfectly +reflected in the water. Suddenly with a snort and a stamp the +mother took one leap over a bush, her eyes staring in terror +at me, then turned and vanished. In some way she had +infused the spirit of fear into her offspring, for with a bleat +which was almost a shriek the little fellow galloped madly, +awkwardly after her, tripping every few steps as he turned +his head to see if this awful thing was pursuing. I never +saw such an instantaneous change from confidence to fear +in any creature. The most remarkable thing was that the +mother and fawn had not taken fright at the roar of the guns +in their very ears. The very loudness and proximity must +have had a numbing effect on the organs of hearing. I +found that Francis had seen the second deer after shooting at +the first, and had lain flat while she walked so near him, that, +as he showed me by her tracks, he could have reached out +his hand and touched her as she passed.</p> + +<p>We know but little of the deer of this region, and I took +some notes on this first Savanna Deer (<i>Odocoileus savannarum</i>) +which we obtained for the mess. It was a male +without horns, and of a uniform rich rufous above with +grayish-brown head, and the legs up to the hock mouse-color. +The tip and under side of the tail and inner thighs +were white, while the rufous color was continuous around +the breast and belly. The deer stood 24½ inches high at the +shoulder and weighed 70 pounds. It had been feeding on +leaves and on a great number of seeds of the Kakaralli tree, +much like the mora. The seeds look like nutmeg in the +mace, and two grow in each husk.</p> + +<p>The skill and rapidity with which Francis prepared the +animal for carrying was remarkable. He removed eight-foot +strips of bark from a small tree which he called Mahoo +and stripped off the tough pliable inner layer. With this he +bound the legs and head together, then tied a broad band of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_321"></a>[321]</span> +bark about the body leaving it loose at the top. I hoisted up +the deer and he put his arms and shoulders through the +tied legs as if it had been a pack bag and slipped the loose +band of bark across his forehead, like the tump-lines of the +Canadian Indians.</p> + +<p>A gentle cool breeze was blowing down the narrow valley +and the blood from cleaning the animal had not been exposed +five minutes when a line of burying beetles and yellow wasps +began coming up-wind to the feast. Such a summons calls +them far and wide from their vantage points on leaves and +branches, where we see them so frequently in walking through +the jungle. Before fifteen minutes had passed, an Orange-headed +Vulture<span class="bird"><a href="#bird52">52</a></span> appeared soaring over the little opening +in ever lessening circles. He too had responded, but as +much by sight as by scent, to the welcome meal.</p> + +<p>On the way home we frightened a group of large weasel-like +creatures which we found to be Tayras (<i>Galictis barbara</i>) +or, as the natives call them, Hackas. Seven ran rapidly +away snarling and I secured one. They had been feeding +on big grubs which they had nosed out among the dead +leaves, a rather remarkable occupation for creatures of the +fierce Mustelidæ family. The fur was dark-brown with a +white spot on the breast, while the tail was long and bushy.</p> + +<p>Before we reached the clearing a Quadrille Bird<span class="bird"><a href="#bird125">125</a></span> sang +to us from the heart of a tangled swamp, a new theme differing +from any I had heard:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music7" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music7.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music7.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music7.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>During the four mile walk to the clearing there was hardly +a minute when we were out of sight or sound of birds. Big +Blue Tinamou<span class="bird"><a href="#bird1">1</a></span> and Jacupeba Guans<span class="bird"><a href="#bird5">5</a></span> boomed up before +us; Woodpeckers and Manakins of several species called<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_322"></a>[322]</span> +and flew here and there, while we passed flock after flock +of Antbirds, Woodhewers, Flycatchers and Tanagers. One +bird which I secured, the Wallace Olive Manakin,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird112">112</a></span> was altogether +of a dull olive, with none of the brilliant color patches +of its congeners. When I went to pick up the specimen I +saw a curious jointed band lying across it and found a six-inch +centipede on the bird. The Manakin must have fallen +across the path of the Myriapod as it was crawling over the +jungle floor. While wrapping up this bird, a flock of tiny +Brown-fronted Jungle Vireos<span class="bird"><a href="#bird128a">128a</a></span> flew close to us, uttering a +song like a diminutive alarm clock, <i>Whirrrrrrrrrrr-chee! +Whirrrrrrrrrrrrrr-chee!</i> Francis shot one, which was hardly more +than four inches in length, olive-green above, paler below. +Those who think that all tropical birds are brightly colored +should see the great number of species of sober little fellows +like these.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">March</span> 31st.—Francis and I started out in a light rain +at daybreak in search of Trumpeters and howling monkeys. +The cook was well supplied with meat so we did not intend +to bother with game. With the help of Goeldi’s plates of +Brazilian birds and much crude attempt at sketching I had +taught Francis what creatures I wished especially to see.</p> + +<p>About three hundred yards from the clearing Francis +pointed out a beautiful nest of a White-throated Robin<span class="bird"><a href="#bird127">127</a></span> +made of green, growing moss, and placed close to the trunk +of a tree, about six feet from the ground. We marked the +spot and went on, but a day or two later I returned and +examined it more carefully. This Thrush is olive brown +above, pale below with a streaked chin and throat like our +northern Robin. Its most characteristic mark, however, is a +patch of pure white on the upper breast, which flashes out +like a star among the shadows of the jungle. The parent was +shy and would slip off at my approach, but return as silently +if I walked away for a minute. When I prepared to photograph<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_323"></a>[323]</span> +the nest she thought something was seriously wrong +and voiced her alarm with a sharp <i>cut! cut!</i> When I focussed +close to her home, her anger got the better of her and she +scolded me roundly with harsh notes, repeated in phrases of +seven, <i>chack-chack-chack-chack-chack-chack-chack!</i></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp88" id="figure132" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure132.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 132. Nest and Eggs of White-throated Robin.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The nest touched the trunk of the tree, but rested on a +loop of a two-inch bush rope or liana, which swung against +the bark, binding one tree to another. Just below was a +fungoid excrescence larger than the nest itself. The nest +was a double one, the new one being built directly on the +older. The latter was composed of dry dead moss, while the +new one was fresh and green. There were two eggs, pale +blue-green, thickly spotted with brown of various shades, +much more densely at the larger end.</p> + +<p>We found this Robin was a common breeder hereabouts +and discovered four other nests, all within a half mile of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_324"></a>[324]</span> +the clearing, yet all in deep jungle. The parents differed +radically in their actions; two allowing us to inspect their +treasures without fear, while two others became terrified +if we approached within twenty feet of their nest.</p> + +<p>To return to our Trumpeter and howling monkey hunt; +it rained much of the morning, but for the most part only +a drizzle. Francis said that wet weather made bad hunting +except for deer and bush-cow or tapir, chiefly because +the continual noise made by the falling rain-drops made +it difficult to hear the rustlings of birds and animals.</p> + +<p>I thoroughly enjoyed this new aspect of the jungle world. +As usual small birds were fairly abundant, of which apparently +99 per cent. were Antbirds or Woodhewers. The +most common Antbird in the valleys was the Scaly-backed, +slate-colored except for the feathers of the back, wings +and tail which were black tipped with white. At one place +two dozen of these little birds must have been in sight, uttering +sharp, snapping calls, and clinging, like Marsh Wrens, +to upright stems in the low underbrush.</p> + +<p>Every now and then we came across a good-sized hole +with fresh earth thrown out at the entrance. Francis said +that this was made by a “Yāsee” and he recognized an +armadillo when I drew it.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the rain came down in sheets, and streamed +through the dense foliage. Francis gave me his gun, ran to +a tooroo palm, a species which has no stem but sends its +leaves, fern-like, from a base level with the earth. He cut +off five stalks with as many blows of his knife, brought them +to me and stuck them upright in the fork of a low branch. +We stood under them for half an hour and never a drop +came through, although three inches out in any direction +the rain was falling in torrents. It was a wonderful example +of a waterproof shelter put up in about thirty seconds. Can +we blame these Indians for a general lack of industry, when<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_325"></a>[325]</span> +game is as easy to obtain as we found it, and when one +may build a house in a half a minute with a few knife +strokes!</p> + +<p>During the entire downpour we saw only a Long-tailed +Hummingbird<span class="bird"><a href="#bird75">75</a></span> which unconcernedly searched the undersides +of leaves for insects. Francis said its nest was hung +on the side of the tip of a tooroo frond. A fluted tree of +large size near us he called ballicusan, saying it was used +for making paddles like ruruli. A section +would look something like this:</p> + +<figure class="figright illowp56" id="figure133" style="max-width: 9.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure133.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 133. Section of Paddle-wood Tree.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The folds when cut off are so thin that +a very little additional shaping forms them +into blades.</p> + +<p>As we were walking along after the +shower, several twigs fell on us, which +would have been unnoticed by me, as +leaves and even branches are continually +dropping in these forests. But Francis +looked up at once and whispering “Baboon” pointed +to where a great male red howler (<i>Mycetes seniculus</i>) +was walking slowly along a branch overhead. A carefully +aimed shot brought it to earth, stone dead. It +was a magnificent specimen weighing just twenty pounds +and the hyoid bone protruded like an exaggerated Adam’s +apple.<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[I]</a></p> + +<p>These howling monkeys are of course not really baboons, +as these latter monkeys live only in the Old World and<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_326"></a>[326]</span> +have short tails; while the howlers are members of the +American family Cebidæ.</p> + +<p>They are of a low type of intelligence and will not live +long in captivity, being morose and sullen, very unlike other +smaller South American primates. The hyoid bones in the +throat are enlarged to form a great thin-walled bony +drum, which is the chief instrument in the production of +their wonderful voice.</p> + +<p>There were two females and a smaller male in this party, +but I got no clear sight of the others after I shot the old one. +As in the case of the deer, tiny burying beetles began coming +within two minutes after the blood of the baboon had been +splashed on the leaves. We had walked for ten or fifteen +minutes after shooting the monkey when we heard an infantile +roar from the remaining male. This the old one would +never have allowed, so we had an interesting example of the +almost immediate usurping of the leadership by a young +animal, at the death of presumably its parent.</p> + +<p>Francis had remarkable eyesight, and when he once realized +that I was interested in small birds and other objects +he would silently point out everything in our path. In this +way I found a remarkable frog which was so protected by +its color and markings that I should never have discovered it +by myself. I have mentioned it before as being of good +size, earthern brown in color, with a tall, thin leaf-like ridge +on the head over each eye and a row of light-grey tubercles +like fringe down each side of the body. From the tip of the +nose to the tail extended a narrow, pale bluish line and externally +there seemed to be almost no differentiation between +head and body.</p> + +<p>I heard Red-billed Toucans<span class="bird"><a href="#bird81">81</a></span> calling in a high tree and +stalking them, succeeded in shooting two, both males, one +younger than the other. The coloring of their beaks was +wonderfully brilliant and variegated. Their notes were of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_327"></a>[327]</span> +the Robin-song type, <i>Phéo-pha!</i> although the resemblance to +a puppy’s voice was also strong. They had been feeding on +seeds with a pinkish pulp which Francis called suluwafaddy.</p> + +<p>There were three Toucans in this group and when the first +old bird was shot the others returned and called continuously +and loudly. The third also came back to the same tree and +I found that this was the adult female.</p> + +<p>In this case as always, I did not take the life of a living +creature without some good reason: for sport, never—but +either as food, or as in this instance as the only way to solve +a problem of scientific interest. I had noticed trios of Toucans +in many places and wondered whether the third bird +was an extra female or young. On the following day I +observed no fewer than five separate trios of Toucans of two +species, and now that I knew the dull-colored upper tail-coverts +were a clue to the young bird of the year, my high +power stereo glasses showed me a single young in each instance. +We know practically nothing of the nesting habits of this +group except from vague accounts. So it is certain that in +this region the rule is that only one young bird is reared +to maturity.</p> + +<p>The loud hollow whirring of the wings of these birds often +drew our eyes up to the tree-tops and we had many opportunities +of watching them feed. The commonest way was +for them to creep out as far as they dared to the branch +tips and then crane their necks and bills to reach the fruit. +But often they adopted a more spectacular method. A trio +would beat heavily into a berry-laden tree and perch quietly +a few moments, looking carefully in all directions for danger, +overhead for hawks and eagles, beneath and around for +monkeys, opossums and snakes. Then one would launch +out, make a flying leap at a pendent cluster of fruit, clutch +it frantically with its feet, and dangle and sway for ten seconds +at a time—reaching out the while and filling its bill with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_328"></a>[328]</span> +the berries. Then when the bird dropped exhausted to a +branch below, it would swallow what it had gathered.</p> + +<p>After shooting the Toucans I leaned my gun against a +patch of black moss on a tree trunk. To my astonishment +the moss whirled outward and back, and then I saw it was a +host of caterpillars crowded as densely as they could be in +a patch three feet high and forming a semicircle about the +six-inch trunk. They were covered with black, branched, +stinging hairs, with two longer tufted ones on the segments +near the head. As Francis said, “Um wurrum’s hairs bite +hard!”</p> + +<p>I began experimenting with their reaction motions. I +found that any <i>sst</i> sound or hiss, the snapping of fingers, +whistling, hand clapping, or pounding on the metal or wood +of my gun, caused absolutely no response on the part of the +caterpillars. No matter how close to the creatures or how +loud or sudden was the sound, unless they were touched they +did not move. On the contrary, any utterance of such sounds +as <i>bis!</i> <i>bow!</i> <i>bing!</i> <i>buzz!</i> even when so low as hardly to rise +above a whisper, caused every caterpillar of the many hundreds +to react as one. The head with the long tufted appendage +was jerked quickly backward, then down, and on the +edges of the mass from side to side. Those in the centre, +because of their position, had only the up and down flick. +The effect as a whole was indescribable. An inconspicuous +growth of moss was transformed like a flash into a seething, +rearing mass of waving caterpillars. A suggestion, altogether +theoretical, is that the reaction to the buzzy sounds may +hint that the chief danger feared by these caterpillars is +the fatal buzz of the wings of the ichneumon fly.</p> + +<p>This evening we added baboon and bill-bird to our venison, +and were surprised to find the former tender and by no +means devoid of taste. The Toucans were tough, but more +than one of us came back for a second helping of “howler”—in<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_329"></a>[329]</span> +spite of the cannibalistic chaff with which we were +regaled!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp52" id="figure134" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure134.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 134. Phonetic Caterpillars.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The rain had increased in amount successively during the +last three days and to-night a new sound was added to our +nocturnal chorus—the Bubbling or Gurgling Frogs, which, +by the score, vented their joyful emotions in energetic gulps +from the jungle at the edge of the clearing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">April</span> 1st.—Having missed finding Trumpeters yesterday, +Francis promised them for to-day and we took a long tramp +full of incident as usual. We circled to the north, swinging<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_330"></a>[330]</span> +around beyond the first two valleys and then turning and +describing a second curve intersecting the first. Two of the +Jungle Wrens or Quadrille Birds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird125">125</a></span> sang their incomparable +strains, each with a theme of its own. The first had two +phrases which it uttered alternately, thus;</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music8" style="max-width: 56.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music8.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music8.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music8.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>There is absolutely no other bird song with which to compare +it. The timbre, when heard at a distance, is that of the +Wood Thrush quality—sweet, liquid and altogether ethereal. +But the distinctness of the notes and their remarkably intricate +trios and gradations are wholly unique. Three or four +large species of Antbirds ran rapidly here and there, holding +their short tails erect and jerking them frequently, thus +presenting a decidedly ralline appearance.</p> + +<p>We saw several Little Tinamous<span class="bird"><a href="#bird3">3</a></span> in the course of the +day, one of which I shot. When the cook cleaned it in the +evening, he found an egg about to be laid. Several days +later a short distance from the clearing, a bird of this species +was flushed from a slight hollow between the buttresses of a +mora. The following day when the bird flew from the same +spot it was found that an egg had been deposited. It was of +a burnished purple color and was 35 × 45 mm. in size. Although +we knew that the egg had been laid less than twenty-four +hours before, yet it contained an embryo corresponding +to a four day chick. This fact, in the case of these generalized +birds, may have some significance when we remember the +advanced state of embryonic development characterizing the +newly laid eggs of many reptiles.</p> + +<p>After an hour or more of the most careful stalking in a +low swampy valley, we heard the unmistakable thunderings +of Trumpeters<span class="bird"><a href="#bird25">25</a></span> or Warracabras, and my blood leaped in +response. Long before I could hear them, Francis had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_331"></a>[331]</span> +distinguished the low booming note amid all the other jungle +sounds. I had studied specimens for months in the north and +had searched in vain for any definite account of their habits. +And now, although the briefness of my stay would permit of +almost no chance for real investigation, yet here at any rate +were the birds themselves in their native haunts. At last we +flushed two which flew down from their perch with a sudden +whirr of wings and ran swiftly out of sight. As they flew +they uttered the familiar <i>Chack! chack!</i></p> + +<p>These interesting birds have no near relations, but form +a Sub-order by themselves. They run very swiftly but seldom +use their wings, and although they swim quite well, +rivers of any size are never crossed. Large flocks are sometimes +met with, but the birds travel more often in small +parties. They feed on the ground and roost in the tall trees. +The voice has many variations but the sound from which the +name is derived is very loud and sonorous, and can be heard +at a great distance. Trumpeters are very common pets +among the Indians, to whom they become greatly attached, +and although given full liberty in the midst of the dense bush +they never attempt to return to their former homes. When +standing upright, the Trumpeter reaches a height of from +18 to 20 inches. The head and neck are black and covered +with soft velvety feathers, about a quarter of an inch in length, +and slightly recurved. On the upper part of the breast and +the lower part of the neck a purplish iridescence appears on +the feathers while the rest of the plumage is entirely black, +with the exception of a brownish band across the back, and +the grayish plume-like secondaries. The tail is very soft +and does not exceed four inches in length and is indeed +hidden by the wing feathers.</p> + +<p>I made careful inquiry concerning the nesting of the +Common Trumpeter. So-called biographers have credited +it with nesting on the ground or in a hole high up a tree; of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_332"></a>[332]</span> +laying from two to ten or more eggs, which in the words of the +describers are white, dirty-white, or green!</p> + +<p>I questioned Francis at various times and could never +get him to vary his answers. He said that the Trumpeter +nested in the hollow of a tree and laid three, four or five +white eggs.</p> + +<p>On another occasion I questioned the Indian who hunted +for Mr. Nicholson at Matope and he said the Warracabra +builds a nest of leaves well up in a tree and lays five white +eggs.</p> + +<p>While waiting for the Trumpeters we heard the strange +Bare-headed Cotinga<span class="bird"><a href="#bird117">117</a></span> or Calf-bird. The note has been +compared to the lowing of a cow, but to me it seemed much +more musical resembling the humming of a goblet when +one’s moistened finger is rubbed around the rim. The +bird is yellowish brown with a bare head and keeps to the +tops of the trees. It is not shy however and can easily be +approached and watched with the glass.</p> + +<p>The most interesting discovery I made to-day was the +elaborate courtship and challenge performance of the Crested +Curassow.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird4">4</a></span> In a low bit of valley with thick underbrush +we put up a deer which dashed off before we could catch +more than a glimpse of it. It was followed by two agoutis, +one of which we gathered in for dinner. The note of alarm +of these rodents is a loud nasal <i>Wăăăăh!</i> Then Francis +clutched my arm and by listening intently I could just hear a +faint low mumbling. It might have been a bumble bee a few +feet away, but the Indian pointed to the east and said “Powies—Warracabras! +Me go shootum labba.” Which very +plainly meant that there were Curassows and Trumpeters +near me and that he would leave me to stalk and study them, +while he went to secure a toothsome paca for dinner.</p> + +<p>I cached my gun, in fact everything but my glasses, and +began creeping as silently as possible down the course of<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_333"></a>[333]</span> +the little valley. Francis, quietly amused, smiled as I tied +my handkerchief tenderfoot fashion to my gun; expressing +quite as much as a multitude of chaffing remarks could have +done.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="figure135-136" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure135-136.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">First Phase of Curassow Strutting, a Slow Walk with Raised Tail.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 135.</span> Rear view. <span class="spacer">Fig. 136. Side view.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Foot by foot I pushed through or crawled under fallen +trees and tangled vines and tree-ferns, close to the hot steaming +forest mould, with the low distant booming becoming +ever more distinct. The ventriloquial quality completely +deceived me, and long after I thought to see the performer I +went on and on for many yards. At last I turned to the +south to gain the shelter of a great fallen tree which had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_334"></a>[334]</span> +begun to merge its rotten wood with the débris of the jungle +floor. I shall never forget pushing aside a mass of beautiful +green orchids and slipping into a great hollow made by a +second tree which had fallen athwart the first. Just beyond +were three Crested Curassows,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird4">4</a></span> a male and two females, +the latter busy scratching among the dead leaves, while +the male was devoting himself to a most remarkable performance.<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[J]</a></p> + +<p>The splendid bird walks slowly up and down the clear +space which he has chosen. The entire body is tilted far +forward, the breast low and the wings pointing down in +front, the wrist portion, or shoulder as it is often wrongly +called, dropping almost to the ground. The wing tips lie flat +upon the back, and the tail is raised, while the head is held +high, almost touching the back and tips of the wings. The +tail, carrying out the line of the back, points straight upward, +and the white belly, flanks and especially the under tail-coverts +are fluffed out to their greatest extent, forming a most +conspicuous white mark against the black of the remaining +plumage. (<a href="#figure135-136">Fig. 135.</a>)</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp92" id="figure137" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure137.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Second Phase of Curassow Strutting.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 137.</span> Standing with Pebble in Beak, striking the Head against +the Back.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Now from a tree near by comes a low penetrating moan +or muffled boom. The bird in front of me at once changes +his whole demeanor. He continues his walking but it +assumes more of a mincing character, uttering all the +while several notes, like low but shrill squeaks or gurgles, +mingled with snorts and snores, all rather subdued. These<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_335"></a>[335]</span> +seem rather hit or miss, there being no regular sequence or +similarity of the utterances. Several times these sounds are +interrupted by the bird stopping, appearing to pick up +something, and then to dash its head violently against its +back, producing a low champing sound which seems to +excite the females, who otherwise are wholly indifferent. +Try as I may I can make nothing of this action, and later it +is an indiscreet, impatient movement of mine at such a +juncture that ultimately frightens the birds and ends my +observations. I was delighted therefore when observing the +Curassow in the north to see the bird repeatedly pick up pebbles +or a feather or twig and champ them in its bill just as +the wild bird did. The clicking sound resulted only when a +hard object was picked up, but the dull thuds were made +by the skull of the bird striking violently against its dorsal<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_336"></a>[336]</span> +vertebræ, the object it had picked up being held meanwhile +in its bill. (<a href="#figure137">Fig. 137.</a>)</p> + +<p>The wild Curassow soon drops whatever it has picked up +and claps its wings together seven or eight times over its +back, making a loud slapping sound. It then turns its back +on its rival in the tree, plucks nervously at the wings, right +and left, for a full minute or longer, and then reaches convulsively +forward several times, with its head and neck, the +bill being wide open, gulping in a great quantity of air. Its +abdominal air-sacs swell, its wings are lowered and rounded +out until the bird appears half as large again as usual. Thus +it stands, half squatting with lowered head and tail, and +within a period of five to ten seconds utters usually four notes +of the deepest and most penetrating character. Now that I +am within a few yards, they sound no louder than when several +hundred yards away. The exertion put forth shows this +vocal effort to be a strenuous one, and at the second performance +the tones are rather low and confused. But the normal +utterance, this climax of the whole challenge, is as follows:</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="music9" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="music/music9.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption x-ebookmaker-drop"><p>[<a href="music/music9.mp3">Listen</a>] | [<a href="music/music9.mxl">MusicXML</a>]</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>This may be imitated by anyone with a deep bass voice by +humming the syllables <i>Um, um, um-um-um</i>, to the notes +as I have written them.</p> + +<p>During this period the actor, as observed in the captive +specimen, seems almost in a trance, standing with half closed +eyes, oblivious even of a hand resting on the feathers of his +back, and the recovery is slow, the bird seeming dazed for a +short time.</p> + +<p>As I lay concealed in the Guiana forest, the whole performance +was repeated five times in twelve minutes, the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_337"></a>[337]</span> +Curassow appearing most excited after it had finished the +challenge call. It frequently ran to the hens and walked +about them, while the captive bird which I observed paid no +attention to the hens, but showed off to human visitors and +devoted himself to attacks upon their footwear.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp92" id="figure138" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure138.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Third Phase of Curassow Strutting.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fig. 138.</span> Back turned, Wings lowered, Air-sacs inflated, uttering +the penetrating Challenge Call.</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>No part of the performance was ever omitted. Invariably +he turned his back on his rival or observer, invariably he +first walked and snorted, then champed and clapped his +wings, and finally sent out his challenge. As I have said, one +may closely imitate this call, and the birds, as I learned on +another occasion, will respond to repeated calls and come +within shooting distance.</p> + +<p>Taken altogether, the performance was a most delightful +insight into the lives of these little known birds, and the +complexity and intricate succession of the various maneuvres +was remarkable. As I have said, at one of the pebble champing +periods I become so interested that I made a noise and the<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_338"></a>[338]</span> +three birds rose at once and whirred away, while I retraced +my steps. I returned as carefully as possible and encountered +a troup of small monkeys which passed close overhead, +sending down a rain of dead twigs. They apparently have +the habit of breaking off twigs when they are progressing +leisurely, as I observed this same unnecessary amount of +falling twigs and branches on several other occasions. When +thus engaged they make a great racket, uttering now and +then plaintive, inarticulate sounds. When once they spy +you beneath them a sudden chorus arises like the greatly +exaggerated swearing of a red squirrel, and off they go +rapidly, silently, with not a sound of breaking branches.</p> + +<p>Finding a good point of vantage not far from my gun and +bag, I waited for Francis, squatting—coolie fashion—out +of respect to the bête rouge which were numerous and enthusiastic +at this point! I sat there five minutes and not a +moment was devoid of interest. I accidentally snapped a +stick, and like an electric spark came a sharp <i>zizz!</i> at my +very elbow. I jumped as if an electric shock had indeed +accompanied it, and then broke another stick. Again the +<i>zizz!</i> snapped in answer, and close to my resting place I +discovered a “Six o’clock Bee,” as the natives call these +giant cicadas (<i>Cicada grossa</i>). Like the Curassow, he was +on the <i>qui vive</i> for rivals and ready with his challenge. As +often as I snapped a stick, he whirred out an answer.</p> + +<p>A pair of Blue-and-yellow Macaws<span class="bird"><a href="#bird61">61</a></span> screamed. When +heard in the distance, all harshness is eliminated from +their voices, and an extremely human quality of sound is +acquired, as of one person calling in a high tone to another. +A Green Cassique<span class="bird"><a href="#bird150">150</a></span> whirred overhead, tolled his cow-bell +and strutted with slow elaborateness. Suddenly a pair of +Trumpeters<span class="bird"><a href="#bird25">25</a></span> came into view, but saw me at the same instant, +and with loud <i>chacks!</i> fled in all haste. Going on to +our meeting place I almost stepped on Francis, who had<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_339"></a>[339]</span> +been, quietly watching me and resting after having returned +with a load of game.</p> + +<p>We struck the broken twig trail on which we secured the +old howling monkey yesterday, and a few hundred yards +from the spot we heard the young male roaring. He had +improved wonderfully on his falsetto yell of yesterday, and +except for a general weakness of volume and an occasional +break and tendency to get out of breath, he made a good +showing in the vocal gymnastics of his race. Twice after +this we ran across the youngster and each time he was howling, +but entirely alone. He had not yet secured a mate and his +mother and aunt had apparently deserted him upon his +assumption of leadership!</p> + +<p>A half-hour’s walk close to the clearing this afternoon +revealed birds everywhere in flocks, passing leisurely. Small +Woodpeckers were tapping, Woodhewers picking and prying, +Antbirds peering under leaves and twigs, and the Flycatchers +audibly snapping up insects in mid-air. The jungle +was filled with dee-dee-dees, chirps, chacks, low mewings +and whistles, while a rain of falling leaves, ripe berries, dead +twigs and bits of bark marked the progress of the flocks. I +shot a number of birds which were new to me, one of which +I could not find until after ten minutes’ search. When I +discovered it, a line of ants five yards long had formed and +it was covered with their bodies. So swiftly do tropical +scavengers work!</p> + +<p>I secured a Wedge-billed Pygmy Woodhewer<span class="bird"><a href="#bird96">96</a></span> with its +single young one, which must have left the nest that very +day. Curiously enough, the latter perched as often as it +clung to the tree-trunks, and keeping this in mind I found +that the measurements of the two birds were very interesting. +There was almost no difference between the length of the +wings and beaks of parent and young, but the tail of the +young bird was only 1⁷⁄₁₆ inches in length as compared with<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_340"></a>[340]</span> +4¾ inches in the adult. From this it appears that the climbing +habit is not developed as early in the young Woodhewer +as in Woodpeckers, in which it seems instinctive from +the first.</p> + +<p>Resting my camera for a moment against the buttress of +a giant mora, a small brown bird flew out and I recognized +another Wedge-billed Pygmy Woodhewer.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird96">96</a></span> It flew to a +sapling and peered at me around the side. When I did not +move away it came nearer and voiced its disapproval by a +five-syllabled cry, <i>chik-chik-chik-chik-chik!</i> This made me +suspicious and peering down a narrow crevice formed by a +deep fold in the buttress I caught a glint of white, and finally +made out three eggs, one of which seemed to be freshly broken. +A safer or cosier place could not be imagined. The crevice +was eighteen inches deep and only two inches wide, with the +opening of the fold almost closed by a small dangling bush +rope. The nest itself was only two feet above the ground. +The eggs were pure white and were laid on a thin net-work +of rootlets and fibres resting on the black mould which had +collected in the crevice. The following day it took me two +hours of hard work, cutting and sawing, to reach the nest, +and when Milady spooned up nest and eggs, four good-sized +scorpions came with them, unpleasant guests I should think! +There were two eggs in the nest and a broken one on the +ground outside which the parent had removed the night +before. This egg had probably been broken by the hurried +flight of the parent on the preceding day. The eggs were a +broad oval in shape, dull white and both measured 20 by +16 mm.</p> + +<p>Four other pairs of birds were nesting on this side of the +clearing, Yellow-winged Honey Creepers,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird136">136</a></span> Jungle Wrens,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird125">125</a></span> +two pair of White-throated Robins,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird127">127</a></span> and a Guiana Quail +or Douraquara.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird8">8</a></span> This last I found wholly by accident as I +was watching a dragon-fly which had been injured by a small<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_341"></a>[341]</span> +Flycatcher. Good-sized pieces were bitten out of the two +hind wings and one of the others was doubled and broken. +Yet the brave little insect was far from giving up and managed +to fly slowly, albeit with a heavy slant to one side, the loose +wing making a whizzing sound as it vibrated. I followed +to see its ultimate fate. As it passed the end of a log a green +lizard leaped from a leaf and seized the unfortunate insect +in mid-air, thus typifying the <i>anlaga</i> of bird flight. The +lizard fell full length upon a rounded pile of dead leaves and +like a bomb there shot forth the whirring form of the Quail, +which scaled off between the trees.</p> + +<p>We found the Douraquara<span class="bird"><a href="#bird8">8</a></span> had rocketted from a tunnel +about a foot in length, made of twigs and dead leaves, which +led to a round hidden nest cavity containing four white eggs, +one of which was broken. On the following day the Quail +had removed all trace of broken egg and shell. So completely +was the nest a part of the jungle floor that never +except by accident would we have discovered it.</p> + +<p>Day after day, on every tramp we took we were more and +more impressed with the myriad examples of protective form +and coloration. As I have said before, it is the immense +variety rather than the exactness of detail which makes these +resemblances so effective. I became so confused at times that +repeatedly I would net a falling leaf or blossom or even fire +at an imaginary bird, or on the other hand fail altogether to +notice some rare bird or insect until I passed on some distance +and happened to turn around. For instance, while walking +along I saw something drift down and catch on a leaf. I +thought to myself, this is surely an insect, although a most +remarkable mimic. Then I bent over and examined it +closely, lifting the branch close to my eyes, and decided it +was nothing but a dead leaf, half curled and shrivelled up. +As I turned away I swooped at it idly with my net and lo! +it took to flight and cost me several yards of hard pursuit<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_342"></a>[342]</span> +before I secured it again. The irregularity of its wings, +their leaf-brown color edged with a line of yellow, and the +remarkable drifting flight in full sunshine, all helped to deceive +me. It was a moth, <i>Gonodonta pyrgo</i>.</p> + +<p>The Goldbirds,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird115">115</a></span> although the size of large Thrushes, are +absolutely indistinguishable in their garb of dull brown in +the shadowy mid-forest, neither descending to the ground nor +ascending to the sun-lit tree-tops.</p> + +<p>Almost as common as the piercing <i>wheé! wheé! o!</i> of the +Goldbirds was a less loud but penetrating <i>Chuckle-de-deé!</i> +which we heard almost as soon as we entered the shadows +of the jungle. Three days of intermittent search passed +before we discovered the author of this omnipresent sound. +The note seemed to come from the tree-tops and we unconsciously +held in mind a bird at least the size of the Goldbird. +Imagine our surprise when, after searching the branches with +aching necks, we finally detected the bird in the very act, +finding it perched only about ten feet above our heads. +It was a veritable mite of a bird, the Golden-crowned Manakin<span class="bird"><a href="#bird110">110</a></span> +clad in forest green with a tiny crown spot of yellow. +From head to tail he measured less than three inches, and of +all the marvels which we have encountered in our travels +the most remarkable was how such a tiny creature, considerably +smaller than our Ruby-crowned Kinglet, could +produce such a tremendous volume of sound. His <i>Chuckle-de-deé!</i> +can easily be heard a hundred yards away through +dense forest.</p> + +<p>Once identified it was an easy matter to locate these little +Manakins. They loved the deep, damper parts of the woods +and were ridiculously tame, perching quietly and calling +continuously when one walked around within arm’s reach. +We discovered the nest of one of these birds a short distance +from the mine clearing in a sapling about seven feet from the +ground, a very frail affair suspended in the fork of a branch.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_343"></a>[343]</span> +It was merely a thin cup of fine bush threads and rootlets, +while two or three small leaves were fastened to the bottom +with strands of cobweb. One could see through it anywhere. +It was only 1¾ inches across and ¾ of an inch deep +inside the cup.</p> + +<p>The bird was on the nest and refused to leave until we +lifted her off and photographed her. Then she flew and +chuckle-de-deed with all her little power!</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp75" id="figure139" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure139.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 139. Golden-crowned Manakin lifted from Nest.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>While insects were far from rare in the jungle itself, they +were present in myriads in the little fallen-tree clearings. +Blue Morphos flashed in and out of the thickets, while white-spotted, +clicking ones, snapped back and forth. In the +darker recesses the transparent Ghost Butterflies flew +silently and almost invisibly, while Heliconias threaded the +vines. Giant bees buzzed past now and then. One which +I caught was an inch and a half long with tremendously<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_344"></a>[344]</span> +thick and hairy hind legs, an orange collar across the front +of the thorax and an equally broad band of yellow on the +abdomen (<i>Centis americana</i>).</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure140" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure140.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 140. Young Dusky Parrots.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Among the most interesting birds which we found nesting +were Dusky Parrots.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird66">66</a></span> About one hundred yards from the +clearing we observed two red-breasted Parrots fly from a +hole about forty feet up in a tall dead kakeralli tree. We +watched the tree, morning and afternoon for several days, +often for an hour at a time, but neither saw nor heard anything +of the birds. Fearing that we had been deceived in thinking +they were nesting we had a black cut down the tree, but no +sooner had the dust settled from the débris of rotten wood +than a chorus of raucous cries arose, and four young Parrots, +nearly fledged, were gathered into a hat.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_345"></a>[345]</span></p> + +<p>The quartet showed an interesting sequence of growth, +there being several days’ difference between each one. The +youngest was clad only in quill-like blood feathers; number +two had the scapulars, part of the crown, the breast and a +half inch of the tail feathers out of the sheath. Number three +was pretty well feathered except for face, throat, under +wings and sides, while number four was to all intents and +purposes a real Parrot! The way in which the old birds kept +hidden was remarkable.</p> + +<p>One day Milady and I started out with only the lay of the +land and a compass for guide and walked straight toward +that unknown region lying to the northwest. A whole +chapter could be written of our observations on that single +tramp, but I shall keep our notes for a future work on the +natural history of this region and add to this already too +lengthy account only a few paragraphs.</p> + +<p>We saw many Lavender Jays<span class="bird"><a href="#bird161">161</a></span> restless and numerous, +yet curious to know what manner of beings we were. Their +alarm note <i>Keeeow!</i> accompanied us for a long distance. +Later in the morning we spent some time watching a dense +line of parasol ants. They were as gay as Fifth Avenue on +Easter Sunday, being laden with the purple and white blossoms +of some forest tree. The broad wavering banners +interspersed with those insects which bore stamens and +pistils lance-like, presented a most humanly comical appearance. +The tiny creatures are so serious and in such a hurry +and yet look so tipsy and political, that one never tires of +watching them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_346"></a>[346]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp53" id="figure141" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure141.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 141. Early Morning in the Wilderness.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_347"></a>[347]</span></p> + +<p>Black clouds and a high wind overtook us and we walked +rapidly on, looking for some sort of shelter, he were lucky +enough to discover a huge tree, hollow, even to the centre +of the buttresses and this we made our headquarters during +the storm. From each of four natural windows we watched +the jungle life during the rain. A small patch of the black +caterpillars was near by on a light-barked tree, all reacting +or not according to whether we ejaculated <i>sst!</i> or <i>buzz!</i> As +before they were very conspicuous and made no attempt at +concealment, although at a distance they resembled a black +knot-hole on the trunk. But their rôle was evidently to +depend on their threatening actions and their even more +reliable stinging hairs.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp52" id="figure142" style="max-width: 21.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure142.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 142. Indian Hunter bringing in a Peccary.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>On the very floor of our shelter a tragedy was enacted. A +small wasp (<i>Notogonia</i> sp.) less than an inch in length with +a splash of gilt on thorax and head, dashed upon a brown<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_348"></a>[348]</span> +cricket (<i>Gryllus argentinus</i>) more than twice its size, and stung +it. Then the wasp left its prey and ran off about eight inches +to a round hole which it had excavated in the black wood +mould. Back to the cricket again it came, turned it right +side up, seized it by the head and began to drag it along. +Although I can hardly credit the wasp with the conscious +intention, yet its sting had certainly been delivered in exactly +the right spot. The whole cricket was paralyzed except +for the two front pair of legs. The motor nerves of these +were unaffected and they kept up a convulsive pulling and +pushing which aided the wasp greatly in its difficult task. +Indeed the wasp did little but straddle its prey and steer, while +the cricket pushed itself along.</p> + +<p>Just before the latter disappeared still kicking into the +hole, the wasp stung it again and laid a small curved white +egg on one of the hind legs of the cricket. The hole was just +the right bore to admit the body of the victim and was six +inches deep.</p> + +<p>As soon as the sun came out, huge metallic Buprestid +beetles boomed about the trunk and the Woodhewers began +their sweet scale-songs, and close over our heads a tiny +Golden-crowned Manakin<span class="bird"><a href="#bird110">110</a></span> joined in with his <i>Chuckle-de-deé!</i>, +the effort almost lifting him from his perch.</p> + +<p class="tb">In offering these notes on the jungle life about the Aremu +clearing, I have purposely refrained from classifying them, as +I wished the reader to realize how, in this region of superabundant +life, events crowd in upon one—insect, bird, +flower, animal—without apparent rhyme or reason. Yet they +really pass in splendid sequence, the key to which lies in the +ultimate relation of each to the other. Some day, if we do not +delay until the destroying hand of man is laid over this whole +region, we may hope partially to disentangle the web. Then, +instead of a seeming tangle of unconnected events, all will be<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_349"></a>[349]</span> +seen in their real perspective: The flower adapted to the +insect; the insect hiding from this or that enemy; the bird +showing off its beauties to its mate, or searching for its +particular food. These things can never be learned in a +museum or zoölogical park, or by naming a million more +species of organisms. We must ourselves live among the +creatures of the jungle, and watch them day after day, +hoping for the clue as to the <i>why</i>—the everlasting <i>why</i> of +form and color, action and life.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_350"></a>[350]</span></p> + +<h3 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.<br> +<span class="smaller">THE LIFE OF THE ABARY SAVANNAS.<br> +(<i>By C. William Beebe</i>).</span></h3> + +</div> + +<p>We had made two successful expeditions into the jungle +or “bush” of Guiana, and now our third and last trip +was to be in the open savanna region in the eastern portion of +the Colony, near the coast. The first resident American to +welcome us to British Guiana was Mr. Lindley Vinton who, +with Mrs. Vinton, did all in their power to make our stay +in Georgetown a pleasant one. Their house was made our +home and certainly no strangers in a strange land were ever +made more welcome than were we.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vinton is a living refutation of the statement that +continued residence in the tropics invariably results in loss +of energy, for seldom, even in our own virile country, can one +find a man more full of vitality. At the time of our visit +he was interested in several large concessions, one of which +was a rice growing proposition on the Abary River.</p> + +<p>When he promised “Canje Pheasants,” or Hoatzins<span class="bird"><a href="#bird11">11</a></span> in +his back yard, and thousands of Ducks flying past every day, +we smiled as we remembered the Hoatzins in the depths of the +Venezuelan mangroves. But, exaggerated as we believed +his enthusiastic reports to be, we were glad indeed to accept +his invitation to spend a week at the bungalow on the rice +plantation. We ultimately found that he had actually +understated the conditions of bird life on the Abary!</p> + +<p>On April 12th, Milady and I took the funny little compartment +train for Abary Bridge, or, as our ticket read, Belladrum, +which we reached at 9.30 after a two hours’ slow ride.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_351"></a>[351]</span></p> + +<p>The land along the coast is all flat savanna, dotted for +the first half of the journey with tumbled down coolie huts +and tiny dyked fields of pale green young rice. Later for +some distance these give place to large groves of cocoanuts. +On the left, stretch the seawall dykes, relics of Dutch industry, +perfected by the English.</p> + +<p>Throughout the entire journey, hundreds, sometimes +thousands of birds were in sight, often for several miles in +succession; but as exactly similar scenes were later visible +and at closer range on our up-river trip, I will not repeat +myself.</p> + +<p>The train was stopped for our benefit at the bridge across +the so-called Abary River, which proved to be a little stream +only about a hundred and twenty-five feet wide. Loading +our luggage and ourselves into a fussy little launch we +chugged up-river for three hours.</p> + +<p>Along the right bank—the leeward—for most of the distance, +grew an irregular fringe of bushes and low trees. Beyond, +almost to the horizon, stretched the vast savanna, +covered with reeds, rushes and tall coarse grass, each a pure +culture in its place of occurrence.</p> + +<p>Scattered over this great expanse were myriads of birds +of many species, the only other visible living creatures being +a small herd of half-wild cattle here and there.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_352"></a>[352]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure143" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure143.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 143. American Egret on the Abary River Savanna.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_353"></a>[353]</span></p> + +<p>For the first few miles two species predominated—as they +had almost all the way from Georgetown—the Little Yellow-headed<span class="bird"><a href="#bird154">154</a></span> +and the Red-breasted Blackbirds.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird155">155</a></span> Few more +beautiful sights can be imagined than a cloud of these birds +rising ahead of the train or launch, and scattering far and +wide over and through the reeds. The general color of both +is a rich black, which itself contrasts strongly with the green +of the savanna. But when we add to this the brilliant yellow +head and neck of the former and the scarlet throats, +breasts and wing edges of the latter, the color scheme is one +which is never forgotten. The two species would rise in +distinct flocks, perhaps six or eight hundred of each, flow up +and over the tall grass in two living waves of scarlet and gold, +and then intermingle, the rain of red and yellow sparks being +gradually quenched by the green expanse, as the birds settled +among the shelter of the reeds. Of course these flocks +were composed only of those individuals close to the track or +the river bank. How many myriads were scattered over the +savanna we shall never know. We must have flushed a great +many thousand of these two species in the course of the day, +and scattered among them were a few Guiana Meadow +larks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird157">157</a></span> looking much like our northern birds.</p> + +<p>Every few dozen yards over the savanna, a tall white figure +stood motionless, silently watching us—American Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird32">32</a></span> +distributed for their day’s fishing, hundreds dotting the marsh, +each solitary, statuesque. Among them was a sprinkling of +Wood Ibises<span class="bird"><a href="#bird28">28</a></span> and beautiful Cocoi Herons.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird31">31</a></span> These latter +were much shyer than the others and all within a hundred +yards of us would take to flight as we passed, leaving their +more fearless comrade-fishers in full possession.</p> + +<p>All these Herons soon became a common sight, and we +swept mile after mile of savanna with our glasses, seeing nothing +but the white birds dotted everywhere. At last we were +rewarded, and a giant white Stork came into sight, towering +above the Herons, with black head and neck, and the sun +reflected from the distended scarlet skin of the lower neck. +The bill had the faintest of tilts upward and we knew we +were looking for the first time at a living Jabiru,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird30">30</a></span> the biggest +and perhaps the rarest wading bird of our continent. It +stands fully five feet in height and the spread of the wings is +about eight feet.</p> + +<p>Soon another appeared a half mile farther on, and a third, +and before our journey’s end we had seen at least a dozen +of these splendid birds. We have but one or two meagre<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_354"></a>[354]</span> +descriptions of its nesting and I therefore have included +among the illustrations a most interesting one taken by Dr. +Bingham, showing a Jabiru on its nest together with its +two half-grown young. These birds do not nest on the +Guiana savanna but retire at the rainy season far into +the interior.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure144" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure144.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 144. Nest and Young of Jabiru.</span> (Photo by Bingham.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Spur-winged Jacanas<span class="bird"><a href="#bird23">23</a></span> in loud cackling pairs were everywhere, +showing conspicuously against the green reeds—dark +chocolate when at rest and flashing pale yellow in flight. +Guiana Cormorants<span class="bird"><a href="#bird47">47</a></span> and Snakebirds<span class="bird"><a href="#bird48">48</a></span> rose or dived ahead +of the launch, twenty of the former taking refuge in one small +tree as we passed.</p> + +<p>Hawks were abundant and one of the most numerous was +the Cream-headed Hawk,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird54">54</a></span> which soared low over the savanna<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_355"></a>[355]</span> +or perched on the shrubs along the bank. Small birds +showed no fear of it, often alighting in the same tree. From +almost every bush along the river bank little Guiana Green +Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird38">38</a></span> flew up from their nests, built close to the surface +of the water. These herons “froze” like Bitterns when +they alighted, standing motionless with the bills at an angle +of 45°. Along the railroad they were semi-domesticated, +flying fearlessly in and out of the coolie yards, and snatching +bits of food from the very door-ways of the huts.</p> + +<p>About eleven o’clock, on rounding a sharp turn in the +river, we saw what appeared to be great expanses of burnt +marsh. On and on we went and at last we realized that we +were looking at vast phalanxes of Ducks. Suddenly, without +warning, a living sheet of birds rolled up from the ground, +hung a moment, then gained momentum and wheeled upward. +Thousands began to rise at once, until for fifty or a hundred +yards on each side of the river, there was an almost +unbroken wave of birds, flying upward and backward. +From this mass of life, giving forth a medley of shrill whistles +which soon deepened into a perfect roar of wings, single lines +of ducks detached themselves, shooting out in all directions, +passing up and across the river, or right and left out over the +savanna. They were Gray-necked Tree-ducks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird45">45</a></span> with a plentiful +scattering of the Rufous<span class="bird"><a href="#bird44">44</a></span> and a very few White-faced.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird46">46</a></span> +The great curving wave never ceased for a moment as we +approached, but widened and thickened and wheeled over +and behind us until the sky was pitted with their bodies. +I took picture after picture with my Graflex, the ground +glass reflecting a myriad of swiftly moving forms.</p> + +<p>Then the Ducks which had first arisen, having flown in a +great circle over the savanna, returned, and intersecting the +newly arisen host, formed a crisscrossing maze which carpeted +the heavens with a close warp and woof of living birds. Even +in Mexico, where we had watched the vast flocks of Ducks +and Geese on Lake Chapala, there was nothing to equal +this. The Ducks looked dark against the sunlight but +whenever they veered, the white wing-bands flashed like +mirrors.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_356"></a>[356]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure145" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure145.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 145. Gray-necked Tree-ducks rising From the Savanna.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_357"></a>[357]</span></p> + +<p>We counted the birds in one short line near us and found +there were four hundred and twenty individuals. No one +could count those in even one of the flocks but there must +have been at least twenty thousand in the first phalanx we +encountered.</p> + +<p>As we passed on, many hundreds settled again on their +feeding grounds, where nothing was visible of them save a +myriad heads and necks, stretched high and watching us +curiously. As many others however flew far away, the dense +matted flocks fraying out into long single or double lines, +some of which must have been a half mile in length.</p> + +<p>In this region these birds are Tree-ducks only in name, as +later in the year hundreds of eggs will be found scattered over +the savanna, and sooner or later the flocks will dissolve into +pairs, each to nest on some low hummock in the marsh.</p> + +<p>These Ducks never settle on the open water of the river +on account of the many dangers swimming beneath, of which +more anon. They sleep and feed and nest among the thick +growth of reeds and grass of the savanna itself.</p> + +<p>After passing the second main body of Tree-ducks we +now and then heard a louder whistle of wings, and a +family flock of four or five great black Muscovy Ducks<span class="bird"><a href="#bird43">43</a></span> +would rush past; the leader, the drake, being almost twice +the size of the members of his harum.</p> + +<p>Small birds were not much in evidence from the launch, +although Anis<span class="bird"><a href="#bird80">80</a></span> were abundant, fluttering awkwardly among +the bushes, and the big Kiskadees<span class="bird"><a href="#bird101">101</a></span> were nesting about every +hundred yards. This was the first time in the Colony that we +had seen these latter birds nesting away from human habitations, +so this open savanna region would appear to be their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_358"></a>[358]</span> +natural home, while the other yellow Tyrants frequent +wooded river banks.</p> + +<p>At one o’clock we came in sight of a barn-like shelter in +which was housed a huge steam traction plough, and radiating +out across the savanna were the lines of dykes which +marked the great fields intended for rice planting.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp84" id="figure146" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure146.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 146. Our Bungalow on Abary Island.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>A few minutes more of steaming brought us to a landing +place on a small island, with the bungalow in the centre. +This islet and in fact this whole region has an interesting +history. All this savanna was once a densely wooded jungle +of mora trees, eta palms and other growth. In 1837 a drought +occurred of such extent that all the vegetation—trees, palms +and underbrush—became dry as chips. The inevitable followed +and a fire started in some way which swept this whole<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_359"></a>[359]</span> +region, reaching in places even to the Demerara. Then floods +came, broke through the loosened barrier of tangled roots, and +infiltrated through the soil. Grass and reeds took the place +of the great moras, and now, almost to the horizon, stretches +the flat, open expanse of marsh. Indeed it is only to the west +that trees are visible, where two miles away “eta bush” +begins. In the tops of these palms the black Muscovy +Ducks make their homes, feeding out on the marsh and bringing +down their young—so it is reported—in their beaks.</p> + +<p>Sixty years ago or thereabouts, many runaway slaves fled +into the interior, most of them hiding in the recesses of the +“bush” or high woods. These lived either with the Indians, +in many cases intermarrying with them, or founded settlements +by themselves. Some of these unfortunate blacks, however, +made their way up the Abary and when they had come thus far—eighteen +miles—finding no habitable land they set to work +to make an island.</p> + +<p>In the midst of this then (as practically now) unexplored +region, these desperate men toiled at the black muck of the +river edge, scooped it up and packed it on the foundation +of reeds until a more or less dry island of about five acres had +been formed. Here to-day we found a low mound of rich +black mould, with nine good-sized isolated trees, several +cocoanut palms and a few bananas. Corn planted here +grows with wonderful rapidity.</p> + +<p>The long occupancy and numerous inhabitants of the +islet is attested by the thousands of pieces of pottery with +which the ground is covered. On some I found a rude +attempt at decoration, and the shape of the rims and handles +were much like the primitive African art of to-day. There +was probably a low hummock or mound as the nucleus for +the island, and four or five feet beneath the surface several +Indian stone axes have been unearthed—telling of still earlier +human habitation—perhaps in the days of the jungle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_360"></a>[360]</span></p> + +<p>Here we had planned to spend a week, but were prevented +by an accident from remaining more than three days, but +even in the short space of thirty-six hours of daylight we +learned much of the life on and about this islet.</p> + +<p>Our two other trips had been to tiny islands of cleared +ground in the midst of a sea of the densest jungle; here we +were marooned in the shade of a little isolated group of trees +on a diminutive hillock of earth, bounded in all directions by +an impenetrable marsh. If one so much as took a single +step from the island, it was into three feet or more of water +and tangled reeds, too dense to push a boat through. During +the rainy season boats can be poled through, and at the +dry season firmer footing is possible, but our visit was at a +time betwixt and between. I have made a small rough plan +of our domain on the Abary, <a href="#figure147">Fig. 147</a>.</p> + +<p>The river was at this point only about seventy-five feet +in width, flowing almost due south. As we ascended it, a +narrow inlet became visible in the right bank, which led into +a good-sized lagoon about as wide as the river, which had +probably been formed by the excavation of the marsh. This +lagoon bounded the north and part of the east sides of the +island. The prevailing wind was from the east and this +probably accounted for the line of small trees and bushes +being almost altogether on the western bank.</p> + +<p>We were welcomed at the bungalow by Mr. Harry, the +young American engineer in charge, who, without the ornate +phrases of Spanish hospitality, but in the simple American +manner, put the bungalow and everything at the plantation +at our disposal.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_361"></a>[361]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure147" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure147.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 147. Map of Abary Island.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_362"></a>[362]</span></p> + +<p>Nothing more different from what we encountered in the +bush can be imagined. There, no sunlight save what sifts +down through the tall trees; here, a blaze of light from +horizon to horizon: there, hosts of living creatures, but as a +rule single individuals of a species or in pairs; here, unnumbered +hosts in flocks of many thousands of the same species. +It was a wonderland guarded by stern guardians; teeming +with life on land, in the air and in the water. Not a moment +of the day, or for that matter, of the night was free from sight +or sound of some of these interesting creatures.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure148" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure148.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 148. Abary River, showing High Growth on West Bank.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>First as to the guardians. The sun we found to be a most +terrible menace on the quiet open waters, and an exposure +of an hour would have resulted in most painful blisters, and +these in the tropics are of more serious moment than in the +north. With broad-brimmed hats, however, there was no +danger.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_363"></a>[363]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure149" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure149.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 149. Spider Lily near Abary Island.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_364"></a>[364]</span></p> + +<p>The day, even out on the marsh itself, was comparatively +free from insects, but at 5.30 a few mosquitoes appear. By +6 o’clock one would call them numerous, and between 6.30 +and 7.30 they are legion and ferocious. One cannot sit +still unprotected for a moment at a time. After 7.30 they +all disappear, especially when there is a light wind, but at +nine o’clock they are present in full numbers again. We +slept the first night, or rather lay down, on cots with nets. +The mosquitoes, or most of them, could apparently easily +make their way through the mesh, but when swollen with +blood failed to escape again. We slept but little, kept awake +by the biting and humming of the wretches.</p> + +<p>From daybreak when we arose until about nine o’clock +sand flies held high revel, biting severely, after which all the +insect pests vanished and one could decide to postpone +suicide until the coming night! After this however we +used close cloth nets, which defeated the efforts of the +mosquitoes.</p> + +<p>We found so much to interest us on and in the immediate +vicinity of the islet that we made no extended trips either up +or down the river. In the three days we lived there we +observed the following fifty species of birds, nineteen of +which (marked with asterisks) were nesting on the islet or +within a few yards of it:</p> + +<ul> +<li>Red-underwing Dove (<i>Leptoptila rufaxilla</i>).</li> +<li>* Hoatzin (<i>Opisthocomus hoazin</i>).</li> +<li>* Wood Rail (<i>Aramides cayana</i>).</li> +<li>Purple Gallinule (<i>Ionornis martinica</i>).</li> +<li>Great-billed Tern (<i>Phaëthusa magnirostris</i>).</li> +<li>Eye-browed Tern (<i>Sterna superciliaris</i>).</li> +<li>* Jacana (<i>Jacana jacana</i>).</li> +<li>Wood Ibis (<i>Tantalus loculator</i>).</li> +<li>Jabiru (<i>Mycteria americana</i>).</li> +<li>Cocoi Heron (<i>Ardea cocoi</i>).</li> +<li>American Egret (<i>Herodias egretta</i>).</li> +<li>* Guiana Green Heron (<i>Butorides striata</i>).</li> +<li>Horned Screamer (<i>Palamedea cornuta</i>).</li> +<li>Muscovy Duck (<i>Cairina moschata</i>).<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_365"></a>[365]</span></p></li> +<li>Rufous Tree-duck (<i>Dendrocygna fulva</i>).</li> +<li>Gray-necked Tree-duck (<i>Dendrocygna discolor</i>).</li> +<li>Guiana Cormorant (<i>Phalacrocorax vigua</i>).</li> +<li>Snakebird (<i>Plotus anhinga</i>).</li> +<li>Black Vulture (<i>Catharista urubu</i>).</li> +<li>Yellow-headed Vulture (<i>Catharista urubitinga</i>).</li> +<li>Caracara (<i>Polyborus cheriway</i>).</li> +<li>South American Blue Hawk (<i>Geranospizias caerulescens</i>).</li> +<li>* South American Black Hawk (<i>Urubitinga urubitinga</i>).</li> +<li>* Rufous Kingfisher (<i>Ceryle torquata</i>).</li> +<li>Parauque (<i>Nyctidromus albicollis</i>).</li> +<li>Goatsucker (sp?).</li> +<li>Green Hummingbird (sp?).</li> +<li>Little Rufous Cuckoo (<i>Piaya rutila</i>).</li> +<li>Smooth-billed Ani (<i>Crotophaga ani</i>).</li> +<li>* Cinnamon Spine-tail (<i>Synallaxis cinnamomea</i>).</li> +<li>* Pied Ground Flycatcher (<i>Fluvicola pica</i>).</li> +<li>* White-headed Flycatcher (<i>Arundicola leucocephala</i>).</li> +<li>* Cinereus Tody-flycatcher (<i>Todirostrum cinereum</i>).</li> +<li>* Guiana Kiskadee Tyrant (<i>Pitangus sulphuratus</i>).</li> +<li>* Lesser Kiskadee Tyrant (<i>Pitangus lictor</i>).</li> +<li>* Large-billed Kiskadee Tyrant (<i>Megarhynchus pitangua</i>).</li> +<li>* White-throated Kingbird (<i>Tyrannus melancholicus</i>).</li> +<li>Tree Swallow (<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i>).</li> +<li>Variegated Swallow (<i>Tachycineta albiventris</i>).</li> +<li>Barn Swallow (<i>Hirundo erythrogaster</i>).</li> +<li>* Gray-breasted Martin (<i>Progne chalybea</i>).</li> +<li>Red-breasted Swallow (<i>Stelgidopteryx ruficollis</i>).</li> +<li>* Guiana House Wren (<i>Troglodytes musculus clarus</i>).</li> +<li>* Black-capped Mocking-thrush (<i>Donacobius atricapillus</i>).</li> +<li>* Pygmy Seedeater (<i>Sporophila minuta</i>).</li> +<li>Little Yellow-headed Blackbird (<i>Agelaius icterocephalus</i>).</li> +<li>Red-breasted Blackbird (<i>Leistes militaris</i>).</li> +<li>Meadow Lark (<i>Sturnella magna meridionalis</i>).</li> +<li>* Yellow Oriole (<i>Icterus xanthornus</i>).</li> +<li>Little Boat-tailed (<i>Guiana</i>) Grackle (<i>Quiscalus lugubris</i>).</li> +</ul> + +<p>The most interesting of all were the Hoatzins,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird11">11</a></span> whose +raucous squawks brought vividly to our minds the mangrove +swamps of Venezuela where we had studied them last year.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_366"></a>[366]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure150" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure150.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 150. Nest of a Hoatzin in the mucka-mucka +on which these Birds feed.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As I have said the east bank of the river is for the most +part clear of growth, save for the reeds and grasses of the +savanna. Along the western bank is a dense shrubby or +bushy line of vegetation; occasionally rising to a height of +twenty or thirty feet or again appearing only two or three +yards above the reeds beyond. The brush grows altogether +in the water and consists chiefly of a species of tall Arum, +or mucka-mucka, as the natives call it, frequently bound +together by a tangle of delicate vines. Here and there is a +low, light-barked tree-like growth. This narrow ribbon of +aquatic growth was the home of the Hoatzins, and from one +year’s end to another they may be found along the same<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_367"></a>[367]</span> +reaches of the river. In general, their habits did not differ +from those of the birds which we observed in Venezuela. +Throughout the heat of midday no sight or sound revealed +the presence of the birds, but as the afternoon wore on a +single raucous squawk would be heard in the distance, and +we knew the Hoatzins were astir.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp60" id="figure151" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure151.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 151. The Author Photographing Hoatzins.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Directly in front, between the bungalow and the river, as +may be seen from my diagram (<a href="#figure147">Fig. 147</a>), the brush had been +cut away on either hand for a distance of about sixty yards. +Every evening from 4.30 to 5.30 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span>, the Hoatzins gathered +on the extreme northern end of this wide break in their line +of thickets, until sometimes twenty-five or thirty birds were +in sight at once. Some would fly down to the low branches<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_368"></a>[368]</span> +and begin to tear off pieces of the young tender shoots of the +mucka-mucka. With much noise and flapping of wings, +several made their way to a single bare branch which projected +out over the cleared marsh. The first bird would +make many false starts, crouching and then losing heart, +but the next on the branch, getting impatient, at last nudged +him a bit, and at last he launched out into the air. With +rather slow wing beats, but working apparently with all his +power, he spanned the wide extent of cleared brush, then the +ten feet of water, then fifteen yards more of stumps, and with +a final effort he clutched a branch—and his goal was reached! +After several minutes of breathlessness he continued on his +way out of sight into the depth of the brush. The second +Hoatzin would then essay the feat, but fail ignominiously and +fall midway, coming down all of a heap among the stumps. +Here a rest was taken, and for five or ten minutes the bird +would feed quietly. Then a second flight carried it back to +the starting point or to the end of the open space.</p> + +<p>Sometimes when the birds alighted and clutched a twig, +they would be so exhausted that they toppled over and hung +upside down for a moment.</p> + +<p>Watching the Hoatzins carefully with stereos for several +evenings in succession we came to know and distinguish +individual birds. Two, one of which had a broken feather in +the right wing, and the other a two-inch short central tail +feather, were excellent flyers and, taking their leaping start +from the high branch, never failed to make their goal, going +the whole distance and alighting easily. All of the others +had to rest and one which was moulting a feather in each +wing could achieve only about ten yards. This one fell one +evening into the water at the second relay flight, and half +flopped, half swam ashore.</p> + +<p>One evening a Hoatzin flew toward us and alighted near +some hens on the ground, but took wing almost instantly<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_369"></a>[369]</span> +back to his brush-wood. A day or two before we came one +of the birds had used a beam of the porch as a perch.</p> + +<p>This general movement occurred at both sunrise and sunset +and was always as thorough and noisy as we found it the +first evening of our stay. For months, we were told, it had +been kept up as regularly as clockwork.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure152" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure152.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 152. (A) Female Hoatzin flushed from her Nest; the Male +Bird approaching.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In the morning as the sun grew hotter the birds became +quiet and finally disappeared, not to be heard or seen again +until afternoon. They spend the heat of the day sitting on +their nests or perched on branches in the cooler, deeper +recesses of their linear jungle.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure153" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure153.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 153. (B) Female Hoatzin in the same Position, the Male having +flown nearer.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>The last view of them in the morning, as the heat became +intense, or late in the evening, usually revealed them squatted<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_370"></a>[370]</span> +on the branches in pairs close together. On moonlight +nights however they were active and noisy, and came into +the open to feed. The habit of crouching or settling down on +the perch is very common with the Hoatzins, and it may +be due to the weakness of the feet and toes. I am inclined +however to consider it in connection with the general awkwardness +in alighting and climbing, as a hint of the unadaptability +of the large feet to the small size of the twigs and +branches among which they live. Inexplicable though it may +appear, the Hoatzin—although evidently unchanged in many +respects through long epochs—yet is far from being perfectly +adapted to its present environment. It has a severe<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_371"></a>[371]</span> +struggle for existence, and the least increase of any foe or +obstacle would result in its extinction.</p> + +<p>At the time of our arrival the Hoatzins had just begun to +nest. They were utilizing old nests which, although so +apparently flimsy in construction, yet were remarkably cohesive. +The nests are almost indistinguishable from those of +the “Chows” or Guiana Green Herons which were built in +the same situations. The latter were usually low over the +water, while the Hoatzins’ were higher, from five to twelve +feet above the surface of the marsh. The twigs were longer +and more tightly interlaced in the Hoatzin’s nest, and while +the nests of the Heron crumbled when lifted from the crotch, +the others remained intact. The Hoatzins placed their +nests in crotches of the tree-like growths, or more rarely +supported by several branched mucka-mucka stems. Both +sexes aided in the building as we observed two birds collecting +and weaving the twigs. Three sets of eggs which came +under our observation numbered respectively 2, 3, and 4. +From what information I could gather, two seems to be the +usual number.</p> + +<p>The eggs are rather variable in shape. One which I +have, from the Orinoco, is elliptical, while my Abary specimens +are oval. The ground color is creamy white. The entire +surface is marked with small irregularly shaped dots and +spots of reddish brown, inclining to be more abundant at +the large end. The brown pigment deposited early in the +oviduct is covered by a thin layer of lime and thereby given +a lavender hue. The size averages 1.8 by 1.3 inches.</p> + +<p>Hoatzins seem to be very free from enemies, although +from year to year their numbers remain about the same. +The waters beneath them are inhabited by numbers of otters, +crocodiles, anacondas and voracious fish, so that death lies +that way. They seem also to fear some predatory bird, for +whenever a harmless Caracara Hawk<span class="bird"><a href="#bird53">53</a></span> skimmed low over<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_372"></a>[372]</span> +the branches on the lookout for lizards, the Hoatzins always +tumbled pell mell into the shelter of the thick foliage below.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure154" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure154.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 154. (C) Male Hoatzin alarmed and about to take Flight.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We found that the best time to approach and photograph +the birds was during their siesta. As we paddled along the +bank they scrambled from their perches or nests up to the +bare branches overhead, calling hoarsely to one another. +Pushing aside the dense growth of Arums and vines, we +worked our canoe as far as possible into the heart of the +bush, to the foot of some good-sized tree perhaps a foot in diameter. +Stepping from the boat to the lowest limb, Milady +would hand me the big Graflex with the unwieldy but +necessary 27-inch lens, and I began my painful ascent. +At first all was easy going, but as I ascended I broke off<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_373"></a>[373]</span> +numerous dead twigs and from the broken stub of each +issued a horde of black stinging ants. These hastened my +ascent and at last I made my way out on the swaying upper +branches. (<a href="#figure151">Fig. 151.</a>) From here I had a fairly clear view +of the surrounding bush and if I worked rapidly I could +secure three or four pictures before the Hoatzins took flight +and hid amid the foliage.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure155" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure155.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 155. (D) Female Hoatzin crouching to avoid Observation.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Of all my pictures that of <a href="#figure157">Fig. 157</a> is the prize. We +came upon a flock of Hoatzins late in the afternoon and were +fortunate enough to get into a clear space and to photograph +eleven on the same plate; the confused mass near the centre +of the picture containing four individuals. <a href="#figure148">Fig. 148</a> shows +the character of the country where we found the Hoatzins on<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_374"></a>[374]</span> +Abary River, with the line of dense growth on one side and +the level savanna on the other.</p> + +<p>A study of an individual pair of birds is given in <a href="#figure152">Figs. 152 +to 156</a>, and the actions of these two birds were so typical of +Hoatzins that an account of them will apply to the species in +general. I made these photographs from a boat, standing +on the thwarts while Milady guided it through the brush.</p> + +<p>We flushed the female from her nest (marked by a circle +in <a href="#figure150">Fig. 150</a>) and she flew to a branch some eight feet higher +(<a href="#figure152">Fig. 152</a>). The male then appeared from a tree beyond +(centre of <a href="#figure152">Fig. 152</a>). We remained perfectly quiet, and the +next photograph shows her tail-on, looking about, while the +male, who has flown nearer, is watching us suspiciously. +<a href="#figure154">Fig. 154</a> shows the male on another perch, still more alarmed, +and a moment later he thrashed his way out of sight. +Meanwhile the female had rediscovered us and crouched +down (<a href="#figure155">Fig. 155</a>) hoping to avoid observation, but as we +pushed closer to the nest, she rose on her perch, spread tail +and wings to the widest (<a href="#figure156">Fig. 156</a>), her scarlet eyes flashing, +and uttering a last despairing hiss, launched out for a few +yards. At this moment, as may be seen in the same picture, +a second pair of birds left their nest in the next clump +of undergrowth and raised their discordant notes in protest +at our intrusion.</p> + +<p>The assertion which we made last year—Milady having +been the first to observe it—that Hoatzins use their primaries +as fingers, in the same way that the chicks and partly +grown young use their wing claws, has been received with +some doubt, and I am glad to offer a photograph (<a href="#figure156">Fig. 156</a>) +as evidence. In the right wing of the Hoatzin, the thumb +feathers are plainly visible, with their inner edges fretted +away, while the first six primaries also show signs of severe +wear, such as would be expected from the rough usage to +which they are put.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_375"></a>[375]</span></p> + +<p>Attention is called to the apparent immobility of the crest, +which is as fully erect in the crouching Hoatzin (<a href="#figure155">Fig. 155</a>) as +in the same bird a minute or two later, alert and about to fly +(<a href="#figure156">Fig. 156</a>).</p> + +<p>Thus it was that we took the first photographs ever made +of these most interesting birds.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp83" id="figure156" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure156.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 156. (E) Female Hoatzin taking flight, with wings fully +spread; a second pair of birds leaving their nest, in the background.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Insects were abundant on the island and if we had taken +time we could have made an interesting collection. Three +species of bright Orange butterflies were numerous (<i>Euptoieta +hegesia</i>, <i>Colaenis phaerusa</i> and the familiar Red Silver-wing, +<i>Agraulis vanillae</i>, of our northern fields), and with these were +also a White (<i>Pieris monuste</i>) and a Yellow (<i>Callidryas statira</i>).<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_376"></a>[376]</span> +The three commonest dragon-flies were <i>Diastatops tincta</i>, +<i>Erythrodiplax umbrata</i> and <i>E. peruviana</i>.</p> + +<p>There were two pairs of Black-capped Mocking-thrushes<span class="bird"><a href="#bird126">126</a></span> +on the island and they afforded us much amusement. They +are true cousins of the Catbird and Mockingbird, and from +their actions would almost seem to have a strain of Chat blood! +A pair lived in each of the brush clumps <i>a</i> and <i>b</i> (<a href="#figure147">Fig. 147</a>) and +hour after hour would sit calling and answering each other. +One pair (the two birds sitting close to each other) would +shout in unison <i>powie! powie! powie!</i> rapidly a dozen times +in succession. The other pair responded <i>week! week! week! +week!</i> as often and as rapidly. At each enunciation the +half-spread tails of the respective pair of birds wagged violently +from side to side, exactly as if pulled with a string. +As the utterances of each of the two birds were synchronous, +the wagging was always in perfect time, but sometimes +the “strings” got crossed with this effect (a); or this (b); +but almost every time the movement was in unison thus +(c); or thus (d). These active, interesting birds have in +addition an elaborate song, uttered singly, which these +individuals were practising but which we had heard fully +developed at La Brea in Venezuela.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="birdsong3" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/birdsong3.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_377"></a>[377]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure157" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure157.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 157. Flock of Eleven Hoatzins.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_378"></a>[378]</span></p> + +<p>Purple Gallinules<span class="bird"><a href="#bird13">13</a></span> and Cayenne Wood Rails<span class="bird"><a href="#bird12">12</a></span> were +seen every day but were not abundant. A pair of the latter +were nesting near the island and well merited their native +name of Killicow, screaming a confused chorus of syllables +resembling these for five minutes at a stretch every morning.</p> + +<p>Among the smaller marsh birds, Jacanas<span class="bird"><a href="#bird23">23</a></span> easily held +first place, both in numbers and in action and voice, day +and night. About every half hour through the day a group +of these birds would set up a wild and frantic clacking, +sounding as if a dozen hens were being pursued and had +about given up all hope of escape. This was usually caused +by the appearance of a crocodile, large or small, from beneath +the lily pads. All the Jacanas within sight would gather at +once and dance excitedly about on the surrounding pads +until the pestered reptile sank again into the muddy waters. +Several times we saw trios of these birds in play or combat, +each holding the wings spread low and in front, ready to +strike with the sharp spurs or to protect their own body by +the buttress of feathers. They are very graceful in all their +motions, holding the wings straight upward for a few seconds +after alighting.</p> + +<p>This being practically a treeless region, the birds were of +necessity either terrestrial, aquatic or aërial, and the latter +formed a not inconsiderable percentage. Terns were one +of the most picturesque features of the savanna, flying over +and around the island in small flocks, the large Great-billed +fellows<span class="bird"><a href="#bird14">14</a></span> with black caps and wings, and the tiny Eye-browed +species<span class="bird"><a href="#bird15">15</a></span> reminding one of our Least Tern. Both +beat back and forth, or hung fluttering over the lagoon, +and now and then dropped plummet-like after a small +fish.</p> + +<p>The Swallows were legion—six species in all, forever swooping +over the marsh or snatching sips of river water as they +flew. The Variegated<span class="bird"><a href="#bird119">119</a></span> were the most beautiful, and we<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_379"></a>[379]</span> +welcomed as old friends Barn<span class="bird"><a href="#bird121">121</a></span> and Tree Swallows,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird120">120</a></span> +whose twittering forms brought our northern autumn +marshes vividly to mind. Many Flycatchers and Seed-eaters +were nesting close by, while the beautiful Orioles<span class="bird"><a href="#bird159">159</a></span> +clung to their pendent nests over the water, and a House +Wren<span class="bird"><a href="#bird124">124</a></span> divided his time between inspecting his brood in a +hollow stub at the foot of the bungalow steps, and singing +his heart out, from the roof. The little “Rooties” or +Cinnamon Spine-tails<span class="bird"><a href="#bird94">94</a></span>—absurdly Wren-like but in reality +Woodhewers which have deserted tree-trunks for reeds—showed +us their homes, concealed in great untidy balls of +twigs. As they flit here and there through the bushes and +grasses, they let off a sound like a miniature rattle.</p> + +<p>The mornings and evenings, here as elsewhere in the +tropics, are the periods of greatest activity among birds and +other creatures. In the afternoon, before the Hoatzins +began to gather, great tarpon would play in the river, the +shower of drops scattered by their leaps sparkling like silver +in the slanting rays of the sun. The few in the lagoon are +of small size, but tarpon in the Abary reach a weight of +185 pounds. A swirling in the shallows near the landing shows +where an anaconda (<i>Eunectes murinus</i>) is stirring after his +day’s rest. His mate, ten feet long, has just been shot after +having helped herself to the bungalow chickens—one each +night for a week, and serpent number two (whose size our +Arrawak Indian squaw cook places at a fabulous thirty feet +or more!) must soon pay the same penalty unless he changes +his diet.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_380"></a>[380]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure158" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure158.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 158. Crocodiles on a South American River Bank.</span> (Photo by Bingham.)</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_381"></a>[381]</span></p> + +<p>Toward dusk all the Swallows of the world—or so it +appears—fly past in loose bands or singly, northward +toward the eta bush to roost, hundreds and thousands of +them—Red-breasted,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird123">123</a></span> Banded,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird118">118</a></span> Barn,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird121">121</a></span> Variegated<span class="bird"><a href="#bird119">119</a></span> and +Tree<span class="bird"><a href="#bird120">120</a></span> Swallows with scores of the Gray-breasted Martins.<span class="bird"><a href="#bird122">122</a></span> +Then the fishers of the savanna appear, looking +whiter and more ghostly than ever, against the dark +clouds; flock after flock flapping silently over: a score of +Egrets<span class="bird"><a href="#bird32">32</a></span> in an irregular line, then a dozen more smaller +troops; Wood Ibises<span class="bird"><a href="#bird28">28</a></span> higher up and beating heavily, then—and +our pulses quicken—a half dozen great Jabirus<span class="bird"><a href="#bird30">30</a></span>—slowly +throbbing toward the sunset. The Ducks prefer the +river, and above the fluid tide a living river of birds sets upstream, +hosts passing until long after dark. We paddle in +the early dusk to mid-stream and the whistling stream of +Ducks curves gracefully upward, descending again when +beyond us. As we go up or down river, we find the bend +always overhead; when we leave the river, the host resumes +its horizontal flow again. Faintly from behind the house, +from the edge of the distant eta bush itself, comes in the +evenings a low sound, gaining in volume until the syllables +may be framed to human speech—<i>Mo-hóo-ca! Mo-hóo-ca!</i> +and we are listening to the evening call of the Horned +Screamer,<span class="bird"><a href="#bird41">41</a></span> a bird known to us only from books.</p> + +<p>The night sounds from the lagoon are full of mystery. +Sea-cows souse and roll in the river and apparently at the +very landing. Otters play and cough and utter gasping +sighs which make one’s flesh creep until we learn what they +are. The legend of the Warracabra Tigers, which Waterton +and all after him recount, may well have had its origin +in these great river mammals, who are noisy, fearless and +sometimes reach a length of six feet. A beautiful skin which +I brought home measures five and a half feet from nose to +tip of tail. Water-haas, or capybaras, probably add their +share to the confusion, but the major part of the medley is +due to crocodiles, who wait until night before beginning +their active, noisy business of life, which, be it concerned +with food, mate or play, requires a vast deal of splashing +and bellowing. This latter is a deep abrupt roaring like +the final roars of a lion’s cadence. An eight-foot crocodile +was shot in the lagoon a few days before, or rather shot +at, as the beast seemed to be none the worse.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_382"></a>[382]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure159" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure159.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 159. Lagoon between Abary Island and River.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_383"></a>[383]</span></p> + +<p>Small wonder that, when we consider snakes, crocodiles, +otters and voracious fishes, that the gentle Vicissi Ducks +prefer the safer vegetation of the marsh itself! The real +birds of night were few—but with voices weird and awesome, +in perfect harmony with this unpeopled waste. A +pair of Parauque-like beings who in uttering liquid accents +reiterated their names, mingled with the ever tragic toned +questioning of another Goatsucker, pleading with us to end +his agonized uncertainty—<i>Whó-are-yoú? Whó-are-yoú?</i></p> + +<p>Early on the morning of our last day, April 15th, I awoke +and peered out through the dimness of my muslin hammock +net to catch the first hint of dawn. The east soon became +lighter and the warp and woof of the cloth softened and disguised +the scene which stretched before me from the edge +of the veranda. As I lay there half awake, I seemed to see +great towering moras, with their masses of dependent parasites, +stretching high into the air. This passed, and the +savanna became more distinct—the whistle of Ducks’ +wings overhead was almost incessant, with now and then the +note of a Hoatzin. Dull thuds indicating some one at labor +behind the bungalow and the sound of low negro voices +added to the imagery and I seemed to be with the black men +three score years before, laboring at their island, fighting disease +and starvation—harassed by heat, insects and reptiles; +ever on the watch for their pursuing masters while the orange +headed Vultures soared overhead, waiting for their turn +which sooner or later would come.</p> + +<p>A bit of comedy broke in upon my dream—the voices of +the negroes from their hammocks at the other end of the porch +became audible for a moment.</p> + +<p>“Wont you tak’ a drink of sompfin to interact de cold?”</p> + +<p>“No tanks, ah doesn’t stimulate.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_384"></a>[384]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="figure160" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/figure160.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p><span class="smcap">Fig. 160. Young Spur-winged Jacana.</span></p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Parting my hammock net, I found my vision of jungle +growth had been prompted by a great bank of black cloud, +out of which the sun leaped at that instant and lighted up +the beautiful green and blue of savanna and river. Little +Green Herons<span class="bird"><a href="#bird38">38</a></span> were fishing at the water’s edge and a +Jacana<span class="bird"><a href="#bird23">23</a></span> was leading her brood of three small chicks within +a few feet of my hammock, down to a causeway of trembling +lily pads. The youngsters were very tiny, clad in gray +with a large black mark on the nape. Even in comparison +with their mother their toes were of enormous length. +They kept at her very heels and when she stopped for a +moment crept beneath her wings. But at this concentration +of weight the water would begin to trickle over the rim of +the fragile pads and the mother would hurry on, flashing out +the yellow of her wings every few steps, perhaps as a signal +to her brood.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_385"></a>[385]</span></p> + +<p>Why every chick is not snapped up by hungry crocodiles or +other aquatic ogres is a mystery. Every morning this and +several other bands, all of three, would thread their way +across the lagoon to the reeds beyond.</p> + +<p>After breakfast about 8 o’clock, while I was reconnoitering +for the best place to begin trapping the Hoatzins, as we +wished to take some home alive, tragedy came, sudden and +unexpected. A single pitiful cry brought me back to the +house in an instant, and there was Milady, who but a +moment before had been happily planning with Crandall +about preparations for trapping, lying with a broken wrist. +A hammock in which she had seated herself for an instant +had come untied and given way and it was a miracle that +the seven foot drop backward to the ground had resulted +in only one broken bone. Game little lady, her first words +were, “Oh! we can’t get the Hoatzins”!</p> + +<p>The remainder of that 15th of April will ever be a misty +dream in my mind. We bandied no words as to the value +of Hoatzins in particular, or the whole world of science in +general, versus Milady’s hurt, but without confusion quickly +organized our plan of action. I had the best corps of helpers +one could want; Mr. and Mrs. Vinton, Crandall and Harry. +One of us constantly dropped cold water on the injury, +another threw together all our belongings; others worked +like Trojans to assemble the launch engines, which had been +taken apart for cleaning. In two hours we were on the +throbbing little boat, passing the Hoatzins and hosts of +Ducks with unseeing eyes.</p> + +<p>Then two hours later at the railroad bridge came a quick +run to the nearest telegraph office, where a sympathetic, +300 pound negro “mammy” presided over the instrument +and wept copiously for the “po’ lil’ lady,” while she clicked +out an urgent message for a special train. She said “Ah am +too sorry for to heah dat bad news,” and when our procession<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_386"></a>[386]</span> +drew up at her little house to wait for the train she called +out to Milady the comforting information that “In der midst +of life we are in death!” This greatly amused the sufferer, +and we settled ourselves for the long wait. As long as one +has something to do, any helpful work, to keep one’s hands +or mind busy, it is an easy matter to control one’s feelings +in a critical emergency. But when one must wait quietly +for hours, the long period of inaction is maddening. We +tramped up and down the track, telephoning every few +minutes to locate the progress of the special along the line. +Then Crandall spied a big yellow-tailed snake (<i>Herpetodryas +carinatus</i>) crossing the track. Here was an excuse for working +off surplus steam, and we both made a dash for it. Crandall +caught it by the tail as it was disappearing into the brush +and we had an exciting ten minutes getting it unharmed into a +snake bag, the active creature succeeding in biting us twice +before we muffled it. Visitors to the Reptile House of our +Zoölogical Park little imagine, when gazing at this handsome +creature, what a relief to our tense nerves its capture meant.</p> + +<p>At last the special came in sight and we set out on the +wildest of rides to Georgetown. Having seen Milady in a +doze on a sofa in the train, Crandall and I climbed up to the +railed-in roof of the car and, with the wind beating down +our very eyelids, watched the narrow escapes of dogs, cows, +donkeys and coolies, from the track at the approach of this +unlooked for train. The yellow and scarlet Blackbirds +blew up like chaff on either hand. Egrets, Ibises and Jabirus +watched in amazement from afar, or flew hurriedly off at the +long drawn-out siren whistle, which hardly ceased across the +whole country.</p> + +<p>We met the single afternoon train, side-tracked to let us +pass, and then had an open road to Georgetown. Slowing +down, we passed through the station, on through the streets, +to within a half block of Mr. Vinton’s house.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_387"></a>[387]</span></p> + +<p>Here good Dr. Law took charge and, ten hours after the +accident, fitted the shattered bone so skilfully that hardly a +trace remains of the bad colleus fracture. The patient had +no temperature at the time of the operation, the only ill +effect being a short, sharp attack of malaria. I cite all these +details chiefly to show the falsity of most of the universal +slanders on a tropical climate.</p> + +<p>Nine days afterward on April 24th, we sailed from Georgetown, +homesick with desire to remain longer in this wonderland. +The three short expeditions we had made, served only +to whet our eagerness to search deeper beneath the surface, +and glean some of the more fundamental secrets which +Nature still hides from us. But we had fulfilled the bush-proverb; +we had “eaten of labba meat and drunk of river +water” and we know in our hearts that some day we shall +return.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the thought of that vast continent, as yet +almost untouched by real scientific research; the supreme +joy of learning, of discovering, of adding our tiny facts to the +foundation of the everlasting <i>why</i> of the universe; all this +makes life for us—Milady and me—one never-ending +delight.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="footnotes"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_388"></a>[388]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="FOOTNOTES">FOOTNOTES</h2> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[A]</a> The superior figures following the names of birds throughout the +volume refer to a list of their scientific names given for identification in +<a href="#APPENDIX_A">Appendix A</a>.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[B]</a> Actual temperatures (Fahrenheit) taken in the mangrove forest on +board the sloop are as follows:</p> + +<table> + <tr> + <th colspan="3">March 30th—</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">5.30</td> + <td>A.M.</td> + <td>66°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">9.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>86°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">11.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>86°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">1.30</td> + <td>P.M.</td> + <td>86°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>78°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="3">March 31st—</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">5.30</td> + <td>A.M.</td> + <td>71°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">6.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>72°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="3">April 1st—</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">6.00</td> + <td>A.M.</td> + <td>73°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">10.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>80°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">2.00</td> + <td>P.M.</td> + <td>85°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">6.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>80°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="3">April 2nd—</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">5.30</td> + <td>A.M.</td> + <td>69°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>77°</td> + </tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[C]</a> In looking over the laws of the colony I found the following Wild +Birds’ Protection Ordinance. I have added the explanatory names in +parentheses. (C. W. B.)</p> + +<p>List of Wild Birds absolutely protected.</p> + +<ul> +<li>Black Witch (Ani)</li> +<li>Campanero (Bell Bird)</li> +<li>Carrion Crow (Vulture)</li> +<li>Cassique</li> +<li>Cock-of-the-Rock</li> +<li>Cotinga</li> +<li>Crane (Heron)</li> +<li>Creeper (Woodhewer)</li> +<li>Egret</li> +<li>Flycatcher</li> +<li>Gauldin (Heron)</li> +<li>Goatsucker</li> +<li>Grass Bird</li> +<li>Ground Dove</li> +<li>Jacamar</li> +<li>Hawk</li> +<li>Heron</li> +<li>Hummingbird</li> +<li>Hutu (Motmot)</li> +<li>Kingfisher</li> +<li>Kite</li> +<li>Macaw</li> +<li>Manakin</li> +<li>Martin</li> +<li>Owl</li> +<li>Parroquet</li> +<li>Qu’est-ce qu’il dit (Kiskadee)</li> +<li>Shrike</li> +<li>Sun Bird (Sun Bittern)</li> +<li>Sparrow</li> +<li>Swallow</li> +<li>Tanager</li> +<li>Thrush</li> +<li>Toucan</li> +<li>Trogan</li> +<li>Troupial</li> +<li>Woodpecker</li> +<li>Wren</li> +<li>Vulture</li> +</ul> + +<p>List of Wild Birds protected from April 1st to Sept. 1st.</p> + +<ul> +<li>Bittern</li> +<li>Curlew</li> +<li>Curri-curri (Scarlet Ibis)</li> +<li>Douraquara (Partridge)</li> +<li>Dove (other than Ground Dove)</li> +<li>Ibis</li> +<li>Hanaqua (Chachalaca)</li> +<li>Maam (Tinamou)</li> +<li>Maroudi (Guan)</li> +<li>Negro-cop (Jabiru)</li> +<li>Parrot</li> +<li>Pigeon</li> +<li>Plover</li> +<li>Powis (Curassow)</li> +<li>Quail</li> +<li>Snipe</li> +<li>Spur-wing (Jacana)</li> +<li>Trumpet-bird</li> +<li>Wild Duck</li> +</ul> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[D]</a> The average daily temperature during our stay was as follows:</p> + +<table> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">6.30</td> + <td>A.M.</td> + <td>68°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>71°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">8.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>72°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">10.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>76°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">12.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>77°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">2.00</td> + <td>P.M.</td> + <td>81°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">5.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>74°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">7.00</td> + <td></td> + <td>73°</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr">9.30</td> + <td></td> + <td>71°</td> + </tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[E]</a> Zoölogica, Vol. 1, No. 4, page 123.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[F]</a> Both of these moths proved to be new to science, both as to species +and genus and have been named respectively <i>Hositea gynaecia</i> and <i>Zaevius +calocore</i>. Zoölogica, Vol. 1, No. 4.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[G]</a> Two Bird lovers in Mexico, pp. 239-241.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[H]</a> Zoölogica, Vol. I, No. 4.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[I]</a> The color of the back and sides was a light gold, shading into dark +maroon or red on the head, tail and limbs. The skin of the face, ears, +palms and scantily haired under parts was dark slate. The eyes were hazel +brown. The total length was 50½ inches, 25 of which consisted of the tail. +The bare prehensile portion along the lower side of the tail extended 11½ +inches backward from the tip. The forearm and hand was 16 inches long; +the hind leg 18 inches. The hair of the beard was 1¾ inches long. The +Monkey had been feeding on leaves and some kind of fruit with stones like +cherry pits.</p> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"> + +<p><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[J]</a> There were several intervening branches, and two or three links in the +performance were not clear until I returned north.</p> + +<p>Col. Anthony R. Kuser has most kindly put his splendid aviaries at +Bernardsville, New Jersey, at my disposal for scientific investigation, and here, +for a month or more after our return, a male Curassow would go through this +whole performance for the benefit of anyone who would watch him. After +the various “stunts” had been performed, he would fly at the feet of the +observer and, wrapping his wings about one’s shoes, would peck savagely +at the shoestrings. From this and other indications I decided that the performance +is more in the nature of a challenge than a courtship display.</p> + +</div> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_389"></a>[389]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_A">APPENDIX A.<br> +<span class="smcap">Classified List of Birds Mentioned in this Volume.</span></h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TINAMIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird1">1.</td> + <td>Great Blue Tinamou—<i>Tinamus tao</i> Temm.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird2">2.</td> + <td>Guiana Crested Tinamou—<i>Tinamus subcristatus</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird3">3.</td> + <td>Little Tinamou—<i>Crypturus variegatus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">GALLIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird4">4.</td> + <td>Crested Curassow—<i>Crax alector</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird5">5.</td> + <td>Jacupeba Guan—<i>Penelope jacupeba</i> Spix.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird6">6.</td> + <td>Marail Guan—<i>Penelope marail</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird7">7.</td> + <td>Red-tailed Chachalaca—<i>Ortalis ruficauda</i> Jard.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird8">8.</td> + <td>Guiana Quail—<i>Odontophorus guianensis</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">COLUMBIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird9">9.</td> + <td>Red-winged Ground Dove—<i>Columbigallina rufipennis</i> (Bonap.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird10">10.</td> + <td>Red-underwing Dove—<i>Leptoptila rufaxilla</i> (Rich.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">OPISTHOCOMIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird11">11.</td> + <td>Hoatzin—<i>Opisthocomus hoazin</i> (Müll.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">RALLIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird12">12.</td> + <td>Cayenne Wood Rail—<i>Aramides cayanea</i> (Müll.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird13">13.</td> + <td>Purple Gallinule—<i>Ionornis martinica</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">LARIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird14">14.</td> + <td>Great-billed Tern—<i>Phaëthusa magnirostris</i> (Licht.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird15">15.</td> + <td>Eye-browed Tern—<i>Sterna superciliaris</i> Vieill.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird16">16.</td> + <td>Laughing Gull—<i>Larus atricilla</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird17">17.</td> + <td>Black-tailed Skimmer—<i>Rhynchops nigra cinerascens</i> Spix.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">CHARADRIIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird18">18.</td> + <td>Semipalmated Plover—<i>Aegialeus semipalmatus</i> (Bonap.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird19">19.</td> + <td>South American Collared Plover—<i>Aegialitis collaris</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird20">20.</td> + <td>Hudsonian Curlew—<i>Numenius hudsonicus</i> Lath.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird21">21.</td> + <td>Solitary Sandpiper—<i>Helodromas solitarius</i> (Wils.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird22">22.</td> + <td>Spotted Sandpiper—<i>Tringoides macularia</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird23">23.</td> + <td>Spur-winged Jacana—<i>Jacana jacana</i> (Linn.).<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_390"></a>[390]</span></p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">GRUIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird24">24.</td> + <td>Sun-bittern—<i>Eurypyga helias</i> (Pall.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird25">25.</td> + <td>Common Trumpeter—<i>Psophia crepitans</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">ARDEIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird26">26.</td> + <td>Green River Ibis—<i>Phimosus infuscatus</i> (Licht.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird27">27.</td> + <td>Scarlet Ibis—<i>Eudocimus ruber</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird28">28.</td> + <td>Wood Ibis—<i>Tantalus loculator</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird29">29.</td> + <td>Maguari Stork—<i>Euxenura maguari</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird30">30.</td> + <td>Jabiru—<i>Mycteria americana</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird31">31.</td> + <td>Cocoi Heron—<i>Ardea cocoi</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird32">32.</td> + <td>American Egret—<i>Herodias egretta</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird33">33.</td> + <td>Snowy Egret—<i>Egretta candidissima</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird34">34.</td> + <td>Little Blue Heron—<i>Florida caerulea</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird35">35.</td> + <td>Louisiana Heron—<i>Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis</i> (Gosse).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird36">36.</td> + <td>Yellow-crowned Night Heron—<i>Nyctanassa violacea</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird37">37.</td> + <td>Boat-billed Heron—<i>Canchroma cochlearia</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird38">38.</td> + <td>Guiana Green Heron—<i>Butorides striata</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird39">39.</td> + <td>Agami Heron—<i>Agamia agami</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird40">40.</td> + <td>Amazonian Tiger Bittern—<i>Tigrisoma lineatum</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PALAMEDEIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird41">41.</td> + <td>Horned Screamer—<i>Palamedea cornuta</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PHOENICOPTERIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird42">42.</td> + <td>American Flamingo—<i>Phoenicopterus ruber</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">ANSERIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird43">43.</td> + <td>Muscovy Duck—<i>Cairina moschata</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird44">44.</td> + <td>Rufous Tree Duck—<i>Dendrocygna fulva</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird45">45.</td> + <td>Gray-necked Tree Duck—<i>Dendrocygna discolor</i> Scl. and Sal.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird46">46.</td> + <td>White-faced Tree Duck—<i>Dendrocygna viduata</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PELECANIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird47">47.</td> + <td>Guiana Cormorant—<i>Phalacrocorax vigua</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird48">48.</td> + <td>Snake-bird—<i>Anhinga anhinga</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird49">49.</td> + <td>Frigate Bird—<i>Fregata aquila</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">CATHARTIDIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird50">50.</td> + <td>King Vulture—<i>Gypagus papa</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird51">51.</td> + <td>Black Vulture—<i>Catharista urubu</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird52">52.</td> + <td>Orange-headed Vulture—<i>Cathartes urubitinga</i> Pelz.<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_391"></a>[391]</span></p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">ACCIPITRIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird53">53.</td> + <td>Caracara—<i>Polyborus cheriway</i> (Jacq.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird53a">53a.</td> + <td>South American Blue Hawk—<i>Geranospizias caerulescens</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird54">54.</td> + <td>Cream-headed Hawk—<i>Busarellus nigricollis</i> (Lath.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird55">55.</td> + <td>South American Black Hawk—<i>Urubitinga urubitinga</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird56">56.</td> + <td>White-headed Chimachima Hawk—<i>Leucopternis albicollis</i> (Lath.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird57">57.</td> + <td>Guiana Crested Eagle—<i>Morphnus guiananensis</i> (Daud.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird58">58.</td> + <td>Swallow-tailed Kite—<i>Elanoides forficatus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird59">59.</td> + <td>American Osprey—<i>Pandion haliaetus carolinensis</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">STRIGIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird60">60.</td> + <td>Southern Pygmy Owl—<i>Glaucidium brazilianum phalaenoides</i> (Daud.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PSITTACIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird61">61.</td> + <td>Blue and Yellow Macaw—<i>Ara ararauna</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird62">62.</td> + <td>Red and Blue Macaw—<i>Ara macao</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird63">63.</td> + <td>Mealy Amazon Parrot—<i>Amazona farinosa</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird64">64.</td> + <td>Yellow-fronted Amazon Parrot—<i>Amazona ochrocephala</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird65">65.</td> + <td>Blue-headed Parrot—<i>Pionus menstruus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird66">66.</td> + <td>Dusky Parrot—<i>Pionus fuscus</i> (Müll.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">CORACIIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird67">67.</td> + <td>Great Rufous Kingfisher—<i>Ceryle torquata</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird68">68.</td> + <td>Red-bellied Kingfisher—<i>Ceryle americana</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird69">69.</td> + <td>Pygmy Kingfisher—<i>Ceryle superciliosa</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird70">70.</td> + <td>White-necked Parauque—<i>Nyctidromus albicollis</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird71">71.</td> + <td>Feather-toed Palm Swift—<i>Panyptila cayanensis</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird72">72.</td> + <td>Guiana Gray-rumped Swift—<i>Chaetura spinicauda</i> (Temm.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird73">73.</td> + <td>Eye-browed Hummingbird—<i>Phaëthornis guianensis</i> Bouc.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird74">74.</td> + <td>Guiana Rufous-breasted Hummingbird—<i>Phaëthornis episcopus</i> (Gould).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird75">75.</td> + <td>Guiana Long-tailed Hummingbird—<i>Topaza pella</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TROGONIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird76">76.</td> + <td>Greater Yellow-bellied Trogon—<i>Trogon viridis</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">CUCULIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird77">77.</td> + <td>Great Rufous Cuckoo—<i>Piaya cayana</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird78">78.</td> + <td>Little Rufous Cuckoo—<i>Piaya rutila</i> (Illig.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird79">79.</td> + <td>Greater Ani—<i>Crotophaga major</i> Gmel.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird80">80.</td> + <td>Smooth-billed Ani—<i>Crotophaga ani</i> Linn.<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_392"></a>[392]</span></p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">SCANSORES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird81">81.</td> + <td>Red-billed Toucan—<i>Rhamphastos erythrorhynchus</i> Gmel.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird82">82.</td> + <td>Sulphur and White-breasted Toucan—<i>Rhamphastos vitellinus</i> Licht.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird83">83.</td> + <td>Red-breasted Toucan—<i>Rhamphastos</i> Sp.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird84">84.</td> + <td>Black-banded Aracari Toucan—<i>Pteroglossus torquatus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PICIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird85">85.</td> + <td>Paradise Jacamar—<i>Urogalba paradisea</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird86">86.</td> + <td>Yellow-billed Jacamar—<i>Galbula albirostris</i> Lath.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird87">87.</td> + <td>Rufous-tailed Jacamar—<i>Galbula ruficauda</i> Cuv.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird88">88.</td> + <td>Great Red-crested Woodpecker—<i>Campephilus melanoleucus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird89">89.</td> + <td>Great Ivory-billed Woodpecker—<i>Ceophloeus lineatus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird90">90.</td> + <td>Yellow Woodpecker—<i>Crocomorphus semicinnamomeus</i> (Reichenb.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PASSERIFORMES.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">FORMICARIIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird91">91.</td> + <td>White-shouldered Pygmy Antbird—<i>Myrmotherula axillaris</i> Viell.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird92">92.</td> + <td>Scaly-backed Antbird—<i>Hypocnemis poecilonota</i> (Pucher.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird93">93.</td> + <td>Woodcock Antbird—<i>Rhopoterpe torquata</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">DENDROCOLAPTIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird94">94.</td> + <td>Cinnamon Spine-tail—<i>Synallaxis cinnamomea</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird95">95.</td> + <td>Whistling Woodhewer—<i>Dendrornis susuranus susuranus</i> (Jard.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird96">96.</td> + <td>Wedge-billed Woodhewer—<i>Glyphorhynchus cuneatus</i> (Licht.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TYRANNIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird97">97.</td> + <td>White-shouldered Ground Flycatcher—<i>Fluvicola pica</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird98">98.</td> + <td>White-headed Marsh Flycatcher—<i>Arundinicoal leucocephala</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird99">99.</td> + <td>Gray Tody-flycatcher—<i>Todirostrum cinereum cinereum</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird100">100.</td> + <td>Yellow-breasted Elania Flycatcher—<i>Elaenea pagana</i> (Licht.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird101">101.</td> + <td>Guiana Kiskadee Tyrant—<i>Pitangus sulphuratus sulphuratus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird102">102.</td> + <td>Venezuela Kiskadee Tyrant—<i>Pitangus sulphuratus trinitatus</i> Hellm.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird103">103.</td> + <td>Lesser Kiskadee—<i>Pitangus lictor</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird104">104.</td> + <td>Great-billed Kiskadee Tyrant—<i>Megarhynchus pitangua pitangua</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird105">105.</td> + <td>Streaked Flycatcher—<i>Myiodynastes maculatus maculatus</i> (Müll).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird106">106.</td> + <td>White-throated Kingbird—<i>Tyrannus melancholicus</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird107">107.</td> + <td>Buff-tailed Tyrantlet—<i>Terenotricus erythrurus erythrurus</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">PIPRIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird108">108.</td> + <td>Golden-headed Manakin—<i>Pipra erythrocephala</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird109">109.</td> + <td>White capped Manakin—<i>Pipra leucocilla</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird110">110.</td> + <td>Golden crowned Pygmy Manakin—<i>Pipra brachyura</i> (Scl. and Sal.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird111">111.</td> + <td>White-breasted Manakin—<i>Manacus manacus manacus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird112">112.</td> + <td>Wallace’s Olive Manakin—<i>Scotothorus wallacii</i> (Scl. and Sal.).<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_393"></a>[393]</span></p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">COTINGIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird113">113.</td> + <td>Black-tailed Tityra—<i>Tityra cayana</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird114">114.</td> + <td>Cinereus Becard—<i>Pachyrhamphus atricapillus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird115">115.</td> + <td>Goldbird—<i>Lathria cinerea</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird116">116.</td> + <td>Pompadour Cotinga—<i>Xipholena pompadora</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird117">117.</td> + <td>Bare-headed Cotinga—<i>Calvifrons calvus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">HIRUNDINIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird118">118.</td> + <td>Banded Swallow—<i>Atticora fasciata</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird119">119.</td> + <td>Variegated Swallow—<i>Tachycineta albiventris</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird120">120.</td> + <td>Tree Swallow—<i>Tachycineta bicolor</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird121">121.</td> + <td>Barn Swallow—<i>Hirundo erythrogaster</i> Bodd.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird122">122.</td> + <td>Gray-breasted Martin—<i>Progne chalybea chalybea</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird123">123.</td> + <td>Red-breasted Swallow—<i>Stelgidopteryx ruficollis</i> Baird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TROGLODYTIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird124">124.</td> + <td>Guiana House Wren—<i>Troglodytes musculus clarus</i> Berlp. and Hart.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird125">125.</td> + <td>Necklaced Jungle Wren—<i>Leucolepia musica</i> (Bodd.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">MIMIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird126">126.</td> + <td>Black-capped Mocking-thrush—<i>Donacobius atricapillus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TURDIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird127">127.</td> + <td>White-throated Robin—<i>Planesticus phaeopygus</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird128">128.</td> + <td>White-breasted Robin—<i>Planesticus albiventer</i> Spix.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">VIREONIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird128a">128a.</td> + <td>Brown-fronted Jungle Vireo—<i>Pachysylvia ferrugineifrons</i> Scl.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">MNIOTILTIDAE</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird128b">128b.</td> + <td>American Redstart—<i>Setophaga ruticilla</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">FRINGILLIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird129">129.</td> + <td>Brown-breasted Pygmy Grosbeak—<i>Oryzoborus torridus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird130">130.</td> + <td>Thick-billed Pygmy Grosbeak—<i>Oryzoborus crassirostris</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird131">131.</td> + <td>Blue-backed Seedeater—<i>Sporophila castaneiventris</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird132">132.</td> + <td>Pygmy Seedeater—<i>Sporophila minuta minuta</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird133">133.</td> + <td>Yellow-bellied Seedeater—<i>Sporophila gutturalis</i> (Licht.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird134">134.</td> + <td>Black-headed Scarlet Grosbeak—<i>Pitylus erythromelas</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird135">135.</td> + <td>Black-faced Green Grosbeak—<i>Pitylus viridis</i> (Vieill.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">COEREBIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird136">136.</td> + <td>Yellow-winged Honey-creeper—<i>Cyanerpes cyancus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird136a">136a.</td> + <td>Blue Honey-creeper—<i>Cyanerpes caeruleus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird137">137.</td> + <td>Venezuela Bananaquit—<i>Coereba luteola</i> Cab.<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_394"></a>[394]</span></p></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">TANGARIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird138">138.</td> + <td>Purple-throated Euphonia—<i>Euphonia chlorotica</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird139">139.</td> + <td>Black-tailed Euphonia—<i>Euphonia melanura</i> Scl.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird140">140.</td> + <td>Violet Euphonia—<i>Euphonia violacea</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird141">141.</td> + <td>Black-faced Calliste—<i>Calospiza cayana</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird142">142.</td> + <td>Yellow-bellied Calliste—<i>Calospiza mexicana mexicana</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird143">143.</td> + <td>White-shouldered Blue Tanager—<i>Tangara episcopus episcopus</i> Linn.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird144">144.</td> + <td>Northern Palm Tanager—<i>Tangara palmarum melanoptera</i> Scl.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird145">145.</td> + <td>Northern Silver-beak Tanager—<i>Ramphocelus jacapa magnirostris</i> (Lafr.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird146">146.</td> + <td>Southern Silver-beak Tanager—<i>Ramphocelus jacapa japaca</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird147">147.</td> + <td>Magpie Tanager—<i>Cissopis leveriana</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">ICTERIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird148">148.</td> + <td>Black Parasitic Cassique—<i>Cassidix oryzivora oryzivora</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird149">149.</td> + <td>Great Black Cassique—<i>Ostinops decumanus</i> (Pall.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird150">150.</td> + <td>Green Cassique—<i>Ostinops viridis</i> (Müll.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird151">151.</td> + <td>Yellow-backed Cassique—<i>Cacicus persicus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird152">152.</td> + <td>Red-backed Cassique—<i>Cacicus affinis</i> Swains.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird153">153.</td> + <td>Guiana Cowbird—<i>Molothrus atronitens</i> (Cab.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird154">154.</td> + <td>Little Yellow-headed Blackbird—<i>Agelaius icterocephalus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird155">155.</td> + <td>Red-breasted Blackbird—<i>Leistes militaris</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird156">156.</td> + <td>Meadowlark—<i>Sturnella magna</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird157">157.</td> + <td>Guiana Meadowlark—<i>Sturnella magna meridionalis</i> (Scl.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird158">158.</td> + <td>Moriche Oriole—<i>Icterus chrysocephalus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird159">159.</td> + <td>Yellow Oriole—<i>Icterus xanthornus xanthornus</i> (Gmel.).</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird160">160.</td> + <td>Little Boat-tailed Grackle—<i>Quiscalus lugubris</i> Swains.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <th colspan="2">CORVIDAE.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdr" id="bird161">161.</td> + <td>Lavender Jay—<i>Cyanocorax cayanus</i> (Linn.).</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_395"></a>[395]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_B">APPENDIX B.<br> +<span class="smcap">Native Guianan Names of Birds.</span></h2> + +</div> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Great Blue Tinamou—Maam.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Little Tinamou—Little Maam.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Curassow—Powis.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guan—Maroodi.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana Quail—Duraquara.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Chachalaca—Hanaqua.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hoatzin—Canje Pheasant.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Purple Gallinule—Coot.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana Wood Rail—Killicow.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Spur-winged Jacana—Spur-wing.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Skimmer—Scissor-bill.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Sun Bittern—Sun-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Trumpeter—Warracabra.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Scarlet Ibis—Curri-curri.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Jabiru—Negrocop.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Wood Ibis—Nigger Head.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Tiger Bittern—Tiger-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Herons—Chow or Shypook.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Cocoi Heron—Crane.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Horned Screamer—Mohuca.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Gray-necked Tree-duck—Vicissi.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Snake-bird—Ducklar.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Black Vulture—Carrion Crow.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Orange-headed Vulture—Governor Carrion Crow.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Caracara—Hen Hawk.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Owls—Night Owl.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Spectrum Parrakeet—Kissi-kissi.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Motmot—Hutu.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hummingbirds—Doctor-birds.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Four-winged Cuckoo—Wife-sick.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Great Ani—Jumby-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Smooth-billed Ani—Old Witch.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Toucan—Bill-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Checked Ant-thrush—Dominique or Check-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Cinnamon Spinetail—Rootie.<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_396"></a>[396]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Bell-bird—Campanero.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Gold-bird—Greenheart-bird—Pĭ-pī-yŏ.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Cinereus Becard—Woodpecker.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>White-shouldered Ground Flycatcher—Cotton-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Southern Scissor-tailed Flycatcher—Scissor-tail.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana Kiskadee Tyrant—Kiskadee.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>White-throated King-bird—Madeira or Gray Kiskadee.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>White-headed Marsh Flycatcher—Parson-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Cinereus Tody-flycatcher—Pipitoorie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Yellow-breasted Elanea Flycatcher—Muff-bird or Muffin.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana House Wren—God- or Guard-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Necklaced Jungle Wren—Quadrille Bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>White-throated Robin—Thrush.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Yellow Warbler—Bastard Canary.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Brown-breasted Pygmy Grosbeak—Toua-toua.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Thick-billed Pygmy Grosbeak—Twa-twa.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Blue-backed Seedeater—Blue-back.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pygmy Seedeater—Fire-red.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Crown-headed Seedeater—Crown-head.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Plain-headed Seedeater—Plain-head.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Lineated Seedeater—Ring-neck.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pee-zing Grassquit—Pee-zing.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Honey Creepers—Hummingbirds.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Yellow-bellied Calliste—Goldfinch.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Black-faced Calliste—Bucktown Sackie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Violet Euphonia—Bucktown Canary.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Blue Tanager—Blue Sackie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Palm Tanager—Cocoanut Sackie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Silver-beak Tanager—Cashew Sackie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>White-lined Tanager—Black-sage Sackie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Olive Saltator—Tom-pitcher.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Little Boat-tail Grackle—Black-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana Cowbird—Corn-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Black Parasitic Cassique—Rice-bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Yellow-backed Cassique—Yellow Bunyah or Mockingbird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Red-backed Cassique—Red Bunyah.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Red-breasted Blackbird—Robin Red-breast.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Little Yellow-headed Blackbird—Yellow-head.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Moriche Oriole—Cadoorie.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Yellow Oriole—Yellow Plantain Bird.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Guiana Meadowlark—Savannah Starling.</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_397"></a>[397]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX_C">APPENDIX C.</h2> + +</div> + +<h3>ALPHABETICAL LIST OF HOORIE ORTHOPTERA.</h3> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Acontista perspicua</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Anaulecomara furcata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Colpolopha obsoluta</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Creoxylus spinosus</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Enopterna surinamensis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Gryllotalpa hexadactyla</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Moncheca nigricauda</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Posidippus degeeri</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Prisopus flabelliformis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pseudophasma phthisicus</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pterochroza ocellata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Schistocerca flavofasciata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Vates lobata</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<h3>NEW SPECIES OF MANTIS.</h3> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Stagmomantis hoorie Caudell</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<h3>ALPHABETICAL LIST OF HOORIE MOTHS.</h3> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Anacraga citrina</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Anthocroca cuneifera</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Apatelodes pandarioides</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Apela divisa</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Argeus labruscae</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Argyrostoma nitidisquama</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Attacus erycina</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Automeris cinctistriga</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Automolis semirosea</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Azelina gammaria</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Ballantiophona gibbiferata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Baeotarcha coemaroalis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Berberodes simplex</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Capnodes subrutilans</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Carthara ennomoides</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Chrysocestis fimbriaria</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Claphe braganza</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Claphe mediana</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Claphe morens</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Claphe namora</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Coenipeta bibitrix</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Colla gaudialis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Dasygnia meterythra</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Desmia funeralis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Dichromapteryx dimidiata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Dirphia tarquinia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Drepanodes agrionaria</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Dyasia viviana</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Eudioptis hyalinata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Epicepsis gnoma</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Euagra collestina</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Euclea cippus</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Gonodonta pyrgo</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Gonopinea albilunalis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hadena regressa</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hylesia inficita</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hyperchiria liberia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hyperchiria nausica</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Ingura circularia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Iza rufigrisea<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_398"></a>[398]</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Lepasta conspicua</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Letis occidua</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Leucinodes elegantalis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Lysana plexa</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Maerodes columbalis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Malocanpa Eugenia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Melese castrena</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Neritos coccinea</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Neritos phaeoplaza</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Olceclostera mira</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Olceclostera satellitia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Orthogramma rufotibia</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pamea notata</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Peosina helima</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Phyllodonta cajanuma</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Prepiella radicans</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pronola fraterna</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Prumala ilus</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Racheolopha confluaria</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Racheolopha nivetacta</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Racheolopha pallida</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Racheolopha sarptaria</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Racheospila intensa</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Rifargia apella</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Rolepa cuprea</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Rosema zelica</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Samea ebulealis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Samea gealis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Scolecocampa liburna</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Stericta abrupta</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Stericta multicolor</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Stictoptera</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Tachyphyle acuta</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Tanasphysa adornatalis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Thysania agrippina</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Tosale velutina</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Trosea ignicornis</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Urga parallela</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Vipsophobetron marinna</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<h3>NEW SPECIES OF HOORIE MOTHS.</h3> + +<table> + <tr> + <td>Acropteryx opulenta</td> + <td>Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Capnodes albicosta</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Claphe laudissima</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Emarginea empyra</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Eois costalis</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hadena niphetodes</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hemipecten cleptes</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hylesia indurata</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Illice biota</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Ischnurges bicoloralis</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Macalla pallidomedia</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Neophaenis aedemon</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Paracraga amianta</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Rifargia phanerostigma</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Saccopleura lycealis</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Thermesia dorsilinea</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Trosia nigripes</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Zatrephes cardytera</td> + <td><span class="ditto">”</span></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<h3>NEW GENERA AND NEW SPECIES OF HOORIE MOTHS.</h3> + +<table> + <tr> + <td><i>Dichocrocopsis</i>—Dichocrocopsis maculiferalis Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>Hositea</i>—Hositea gynaecia Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>Incarcha</i>—Incarcha aporalis Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>Minacragides</i>—Minacragides arnacis Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>Thyonoea</i>—Thyonaea dremma Dyar</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><i>Zaevius</i>—Zaevius calocore Dyar</td> + </tr> +</table> + +<p>The Photographs and descriptions of these new genera and species +have been published in Zoölogica, Vol. 1, No. 4.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_399"></a>[399]</span></p> + +<h2 class="nobreak" id="INDEX">INDEX.</h2> + +<p class="center">Illustrations are indicated by page numbers in Italic.</p> + +</div> + +<ul> + +<li class="ifrst">A.</li> + +<li class="indx">Abary, Birds of, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Bungalow, <a href="#Page_358"><i>358</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Island, <a href="#Page_358"><i>358</i></a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">River, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_362"><i>362</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Admetus pumilio</i>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190"><i>190</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Aequidens</i>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69"><i>69</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Agouti, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_312"><i>312</i></a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Agraulis vanillae</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Amazon Parrot. <i>See</i> <a href="#Parrots">Parrots</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">American Redstarts, accompanying army of hunting ants, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Anableps anableps.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Four-eyed_Fish">Four-eyed Fish</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Anaconda">Anaconda, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27"><i>27</i></a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">André, Eugene, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Anis">Anis, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Accompanying army of hunting ants, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Greater, flock of, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Smooth-billed, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Anna Regina, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Anopheles</i>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Antbirds, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Accompanying army of hunting ants, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Scaly-backed, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White-shouldered Pigmy, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Anteater, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Great, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257"><i>257</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Anteater_Lesser">Lesser, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306"><i>306</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ants, Black, (<i>Neoponera commutata</i>), <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Battle with hunting ants, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Houses of, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Hunting Ants (<i>Eciton</i>), <a href="#Page_49">49-54</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Battle with Black Ants, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Warfare in nests of other species, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Parasol, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Fungi gardens of, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Aremu, Camp on, <a href="#Page_274"><i>274</i></a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Aremu">Gold Mine, <a href="#Page_285">285-288</a>, <a href="#Page_287"><i>287</i></a>, <a href="#Page_289"><i>289</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Landing, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Little, <a href="#Page_244">244-284</a>, <a href="#Page_276"><i>276</i></a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">River, Big, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Argeus labruscae</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Armadillo, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Atta cephalotes</i>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Attacus (Hesperia) erycina</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Automeria cinctistriga</i>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">B.</li> + +<li class="indx">Baboons. <i>See</i> <a href="#Monkeys_Red_Howling">Monkey, Red Howling</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bananaquits, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Barama River, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_216"><i>216</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Entrance of, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Our tent boat on the, <a href="#Page_159"><i>159</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Barima River, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Barrabarra River, <a href="#Page_219"><i>219</i></a>, <a href="#Page_222">222-225</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Barrimani Police Station, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bartica, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bashew, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bats, Fruit-eating, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Manner of alighting, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Number of species of, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Scarab, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Vampires. <i>See</i> <a href="#Vampires">Vampires</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bee, Giant, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Beetles_Bark">Beetles, Bark, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Brazilian, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Buprestid, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Elater, Brown, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Larva of small species of, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Longicorn, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Beetles_Tiger">Tiger, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Bete_rouge">Bête rouge, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Biara River, <a href="#Page_220">220-222</a>, <a href="#Page_226"><i>226</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bingham, Dr. Hiram, <a href="#Page_xi">xi</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Birds brought alive from British Guiana to New York Zoölogical Park, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_400"></a>[400]</span>Bird Protection Ordinance of British Guiana, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Blaberus trapezoideus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Cockroach">Cockroach</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Blackbird, Red-breasted, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow-headed, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Blacks. <i>See</i> <a href="#Negro">Negro</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bois Immortelle trees, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Botanical Gardens, experimental botanical work, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Fauna of, <a href="#Page_129">129-131</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Brassias</i>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">British Guiana, climatic condition of coast of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Bufo agua</i>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123"><i>123</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Buffalo, Water, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bunyahs. <i>See</i> <a href="#Cassique_Red-backed">Cassique, Red-backed</a> <i>and</i> <a href="#Cassique_Yellow-backed">Yellow-backed</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bushmaster, <a href="#Page_182"><i>182</i></a>, <a href="#Page_183"><i>183</i></a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Bush-rope, aërial roots of, <a href="#Page_296"><i>296</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Butterflies">Butterflies, black and white, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Ghost, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Heliconias, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Milkweed, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Morphos, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Orange shaded, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Two species of, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Orchid, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251"><i>251</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Orange, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Owl, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42"><i>42</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Papilio, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red Silver-wing, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Swallow-tailed, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Butterfly_Transparent">Transparent, <a href="#Page_196"><i>196</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">C.</li> + +<li class="indx">Calf-bird. <i>See</i> <a href="#Cotinga_Bare-headed">Cotinga, Bare-headed</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Caligo ilioneus</i>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Calliste, Black-faced, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow-bellied, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Callidryas statira</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Calomesus psittacus</i>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Camaria Landing, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Falls at Lower, <a href="#Page_249"><i>249</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Upper, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Caño San Juan, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Caños, exploring in dug-out, <a href="#Page_21"><i>21</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Canthon semiopacus</i>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Capnodes albicosta</i>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Captain Truxillo, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_78"><i>78</i></a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, + <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Capuchin Monkey, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Capybara">Capybara, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_233"><i>233</i></a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_255"><i>255</i></a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, + <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Caracara, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Carey-Elwis, Father, Mission of, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Carib, Fish. <i>See</i> <a href="#Perai">Perai</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Indian hunter and children, <a href="#Page_178"><i>178</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Indian huts at Hoorie, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Indians, three generations of, <a href="#Page_180"><i>180</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Carnegiella strigatus</i>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cassiques, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Big Green, Courtship of, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Flocking of, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nests of, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_236"><i>236</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Notes of, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Cassique_Red-backed">Red-backed, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Colony of at Hoorie, <a href="#Page_202">202-209</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Eggs of, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Embryo, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Food of, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nests of, <a href="#Page_204"><i>204</i></a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Young birds, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Cassique_Yellow-backed">Yellow-backed, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nesting of, <a href="#Page_33"><i>33</i></a>, <a href="#Page_34"><i>34</i></a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, + <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Castina licus</i>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_251"><i>251</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Castus</i> sp., <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193"><i>193</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Caterpillar, black, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_329"><i>329</i></a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Catfish, Crucifix, <a href="#Page_13"><i>13</i></a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Catfish_Armored">Armored, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Of Guiana, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Centis americana</i>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Centrurus margaritatus</i>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Cercoleptes caudivolvulus</i>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Chachalaca, Abundance near Guanoco, <a href="#Page_38"><i>38</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Voice of, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Chameleon caterpillar, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Chrysocestis fimbriaria</i>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Choloepus</i>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cicadas, Chant of, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Chinese music of giant species, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_401"></a>[401]</span><i>Cicada grossa</i>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Six-o’clock bee, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cinereus Becard, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Clavillina</i>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Cockroach">Cockroach, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Coelogenys paca</i>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Colaenis phaerusa</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Congo Pump, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Coolie, of British Guiana, <a href="#Page_117"><i>117</i></a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Indenture system, <a href="#Page_148">148-149</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Coolies and their wives fishing in Essequibo, <a href="#Page_247"><i>247</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cormorant, Guiana, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cotinga, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Cotinga_Bare-headed">Bare-headed, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Pompadour, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cotton Bird. <i>See</i> <a href="#Flycatcher_White-shouldered_Ground">Flycatcher, White-shouldered Ground</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Couchi-couchi. <i>See</i> <a href="#Kinkajou">Kinkajou</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cowbird, Guiana, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crab Oil. <i>See</i> <a href="#Bete_rouge">Bête rouge</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crabs, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Dancing, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Enemies of, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Inhabiting roots of mangroves, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Inhabiting trunks and branches of mangroves, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Method of catching, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Mimicry among, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crab wood, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crandall, Lee S., <a href="#Page_ix">ix,</a> <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_182"><i>182</i></a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, + <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Creepers, Blue Honey, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Honey, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow-winged Honey, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crew. <i>See</i> <a href="#Sloop">Sloop</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Crocodiles, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Canal of, <a href="#Page_130"><i>130</i></a>, <a href="#Page_380"><i>380</i></a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Of the Aremu, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cuckoos, Chestnut, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cumaca trees, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Curassow, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Crested, courtship of, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_333"><i>333</i></a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, + <a href="#Page_337"><i>337</i></a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Curlews, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Cuyuni River, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_254"><i>254</i></a>, <a href="#Page_259"><i>259</i></a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Flowers of, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Rapids of, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_260"><i>260</i></a>, <a href="#Page_261"><i>261</i></a>, <a href="#Page_262"><i>262</i></a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, + <a href="#Page_264"><i>264</i></a>, <a href="#Page_266"><i>266</i></a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_270"><i>270</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">D.</li> + +<li class="indx">Deer, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, + <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Deer_Savanna">Savanna, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Dendrobates trivittatus</i>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Desmodus rufus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Vampires">Vampire</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Dicotyles labiatus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Peccary_White-lipped">Peccary, White-lipped</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Dicotyles tajacu.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Peccary_Common">Peccary, Common</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Dirphia tarquinia</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Dolphins, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Douraquara. <i>See</i> <a href="#Quail">Quail, Guiana</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Dove, Red-winged Ground, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Dragon Fly, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><i>Diastatops tincta</i>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><i>Erythrodiplax umbrata</i>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><i>Erythrodiplax peruviana</i>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Dress suitable for woman on jungle trips, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Drowned Forest of Hoorie, <a href="#Page_198">198-202</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ducks, Gray-necked Tree, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_356"><i>356</i></a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Muscovy, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Rufous Tree, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Vicissi, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">E.</li> + +<li class="indx">Eagle, Guiana Crested, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Eciton</i>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Egrets, American, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_352"><i>352</i></a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Snowy, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Elainia.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Flycatchers">Flycatchers</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Electric eels, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Encounter with curiara in the Guarapiche, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Epidendrum fragrans</i>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Epidendrum nocturnum</i>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Epidendrum odoratum</i>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Essequibo River, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Euchroma goliath</i>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Eudioptis hyalinata</i>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Eunectes murinus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Anaconda">Anaconda</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_402"></a>[402]</span>Euphonia, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Black-tailed, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Purple-throated, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Violet, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Euptoieta hegesia</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">F.</li> + +<li class="indx">Farnum’s, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Felis concolor</i>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ferns, tree, on Little Aremu, <a href="#Page_278"><i>278</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Filo, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Flamingo, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Flycatchers">Flycatchers, Elania, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_132"><i>132</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Flycatcher_Gray_Tody">Gray Tody, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Kiskadee, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_114"><i>114</i></a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, + <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, + <a href="#Page_357">357</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Streaked, accompanying army of hunting ants, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51"><i>51</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Tyrant, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>,</li> +<li class="isub2">accompanying army of hunting ants, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Flycatcher_White-shouldered_Ground">White-shouldered Ground, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White-headed Marsh, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Flying Fish, Fresh Water, <a href="#Page_252"><i>252</i></a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Salt Water, <a href="#Page_253"><i>253</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Forest, drowned, <a href="#Page_199"><i>199</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Four-eyed_Fish">Four-eyed Fish, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_16"><i>16</i></a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, + <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Devoured by Crocodile, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Eyes of, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Fowler, Mr., <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Francis, Jungle craft of, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, + <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Frederick, <a href="#Page_147">147-148</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152"><i>152</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">French, Mr., <a href="#Page_248">248</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Frigate-bird, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Frog, Bleating Calf, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Castanet, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Freight engine, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Roaring, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wing-beat, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">G.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Galictis barbara</i>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Gallinules, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Purple, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Georgetown, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Beauty of, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Botanical Gardens of, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Chief points of attraction of, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Inhabitants of, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Museum of, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Sea Wall of, <a href="#Page_119"><i>119</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Street life of, <a href="#Page_116">116-118</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Street of, <a href="#Page_113"><i>113</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Typical day of, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Gillett, Father, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228"><i>228</i></a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Gold_Bird">Gold Bird, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, + <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Gold, Long Tom process, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Mines. <i>See</i> <a href="#Aremu">Aremu</a>, <a href="#Hoorie">Hoorie</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Panning, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186"><i>186</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Golden Shower Orchid, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Gonodonta pyrgo</i>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Grackle, Little Boat-tailed, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Grassfinches, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Grell, Ellis, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Greenheart Bird. <i>See</i> <a href="#Gold_Bird">Gold Bird</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Green_River_Ibis">Green River Ibis, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Grosbeaks, Black-faced Green, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Black-headed Scarlet, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Grosbeak_Brown-breasted_Pigmy">Brown-breasted Pigmy, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Grosbeak_Thick-billed_Pigmy">Thick-billed Pigmy, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Gryllus argentinus</i>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Guanoco, Children of, <a href="#Page_100"><i>100</i></a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Dances at, <a href="#Page_97">97-103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Fever at, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">First night at, <a href="#Page_90">90-93</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">“Headquarters” at, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Inhabitants of, <a href="#Page_97"><i>97</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Priestless chapel at, <a href="#Page_105"><i>105</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Quarrel with United States of America, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Revolutionary reports at, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">River of, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Suffering that came to, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Village of, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Women of, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Guan">Guan, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Jacupeba, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Marail, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Guarapiche River, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Guarauno Indians, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">At Caño Colorado, <a href="#Page_83"><i>83</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_403"></a>[403]</span>Papoose, <a href="#Page_107"><i>107</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Squaws, <a href="#Page_85"><i>85</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wandering tribes of, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Guard_Ship">Guard Ship, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Venezuelan soldiers on board of, <a href="#Page_76"><i>76</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Guava, Water, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Gulls, Laughing, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">H.</li> + +<li class="indx">Haasnoot, Captain, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Haetera piera.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Butterfly_Transparent">Butterfly, Transparent</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Harrison, Prof. J. B., <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Harry, Mr., <a href="#Page_385">385</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Hawk, Caracara, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Chimachima, White-breasted, <a href="#Page_62"><i>62</i></a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Cream-headed, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">South American Black, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Heliconia butterfly. <i>See</i> <a href="#Butterflies">Butterflies</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Heliconias, Scarlet, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hemiptycha (Umbonia) spinosa</i>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Herons, Agami, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Boat-billed, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Cocoi, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Heron_Guiana_Green">Guiana Green, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Immature Blue, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Little Blue, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Louisiana, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow-crowned Night, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Herpetodryas carinatus</i>, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Hoatzins, Eggs of, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Enemies of, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Flight of, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Flock of, <a href="#Page_377"><i>377</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Food of, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Habits of, at Abary, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_369"><i>369</i></a>, <a href="#Page_370"><i>370</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_372"><i>372</i></a>, <a href="#Page_373"><i>373</i></a>, <a href="#Page_375"><i>375</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Nesting of, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_366"><i>366</i></a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Number at Abary, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">On the Guarapiche, <a href="#Page_28"><i>28</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Photographing, <a href="#Page_367"><i>367</i></a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Sedentary life of, <a href="#Page_28"><i>28</i></a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Use of wings, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Voice of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Young of, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Hodgson, Sir Frederick, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Homalocranium melanocephalum</i>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Hoorie">Hoorie mine, Average daily temperature at, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Bungalow, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Creek, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Crossing stream on road to, <a href="#Page_167"><i>167</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Drowned forest of, <a href="#Page_198">198-202</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Fauna around, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Flora of, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Indian life near, <a href="#Page_179">179-184</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Hoorie_Insects">Insects of, <a href="#Page_209">209-213</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">“Little Giant” at, <a href="#Page_175"><i>175</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Mine, <a href="#Page_167">167-169</a>, <a href="#Page_172"><i>172</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wilderness trail to, <a href="#Page_165">165-167</a>, <a href="#Page_168"><i>168</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hoplias malabaricus</i>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69"><i>69</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Hornaday, Dr. William T., <a href="#Page_xi">xi</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hositea gynaecia</i>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Hummingbird, Long-tailed, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Rufous breasted, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White eye-browed, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hydrochoerus capybara.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Capybara">Capybara</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hyperchiria Liberia</i>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Hyperchiria nausica</i>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">I.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ibis. <i>See</i> <a href="#Green_River_Ibis">Green River</a>. <i>See</i> <a href="#Scarlet_Ibis">Scarlet</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="im_Thurn">im Thurn, Sir Everard, house of, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143"><i>143</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Indian and the Law, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Boys in dug-out, <a href="#Page_162"><i>162</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Three-year-olds at home in wood-skin, <a href="#Page_138"><i>138</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Insects. <i>See</i> <a href="#Hoorie_Insects">Hoorie</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Mounting of, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">J.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jabiru, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_354"><i>354</i></a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jacamar, home of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Paradise, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jacana, Spur-wing, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, + <a href="#Page_384"><i>384</i></a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">“Josefa Jacinta.” <i>See</i> <a href="#Sloop">Sloop</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jaguar, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jays, Lavender, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jelly-fish, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jones, Mr. B. Howell, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Jumbie Birds. <i>See</i> <a href="#Anis">Anis</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_404"></a>[404]</span>K.</li> + +<li class="indx">Killicow. <i>See</i> <a href="#Rail">Rail, Cayenne Wood</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">King, Howie, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">As magistrate of Morawhanna, <a href="#Page_149">149-151</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Garden of, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">House of, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Kingbirds, White-throated, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Kingfishers, Feeding on insects, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red-breasted, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Rufous, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Kinkajou">Kinkajou, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Kiskadee. <i>See</i> <a href="#Flycatchers">Flycatchers</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Kites, Swallow-tailed, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">L.</li> + +<li class="indx">Labba. <i>See</i> <a href="#Paca">Paca</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">La Brea, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_59"><i>59</i></a>. <i>See</i> also <a href="#Pitch_Lake">Pitch Lake</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">La Ceiba, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Our floating home at, <a href="#Page_18"><i>18</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Lilies">Lilies, Spider, <a href="#Page_57"><i>57</i></a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_363"><i>363</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lizards, At Morawhanna, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Protective coloration of, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44"><i>44</i></a>, <a href="#Page_45"><i>45</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Tegu, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Loricates. <i>See</i> <a href="#Catfish_Armored">Catfish, Armored</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Lotus, <a href="#Page_126"><i>126</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">M.</li> + +<li class="indx">Macaws, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Blue and Yellow, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Maestro, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Manakin, Golden-crowned, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_343"><i>343</i></a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Gold-headed, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wallace Olive, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White-breasted, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White-capped, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Manatee">Manatee, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_221"><i>221</i></a>, <a href="#Page_222"><i>222</i></a>, <a href="#Page_224"><i>224</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mangrove, Flowers of, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Jungle, description of, <a href="#Page_9">9-12</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Manner of preparation of, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Map of trip through, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Sunset in Mangrove wilderness, <a href="#Page_80"><i>80</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wilderness, <a href="#Page_95"><i>95</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Young plants, <a href="#Page_11"><i>11</i></a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Mantis">Mantis, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><i>Stagmomantis hoorie</i>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Map, of Abary Island, <a href="#Page_361"><i>361</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Of three expeditions into British Guiana, <a href="#Page_110"><i>110</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Of trip through Mangrove Wilderness, <a href="#Page_2"><i>2</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Marciano, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, + <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Marlborough Police Station, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Maroodie. <i>See</i> <a href="#Guan">Guan</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Martins, Gray Breasted, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245"><i>245</i></a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Matope, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mazaruni River, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Steamer, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Maximiliano Romero, <a href="#Page_101">101-102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mecistogaster</i> sp., <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mesomphalia discors</i>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mission, on Morooka River, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Warramuri, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Monkeys, Capuchin, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Marmoset, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">No fear of railroad, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Monkeys_Red_Howling">Red Howling, Description of, <a href="#Page_325">325-326</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">As food, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Voice of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, + <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Monstera</i>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mora Passage, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, + <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mora Tree, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_296"><i>296</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Morawhanna, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Typical Indian House of, <a href="#Page_136"><i>136</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Home of Mr. Howie King at, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Morooka River, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Agriculture on, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Morpho butterfly. <i>See</i> <a href="#Butterflies">Butterflies</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Morpho metellus</i>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mosquitoes, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112-114</a>, + <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>, + <a href="#Page_364">364</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Moths, Hawk, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Moth_Moon">Moon, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Owl, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_405"></a>[405]</span>Waltzing, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mountains of Venezuela, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31"><i>31</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mount Everard, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140"><i>140</i></a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Bête rouge of, <a href="#Page_144">144-146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Mucka-mucka, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Muricot, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Mycetes seniculus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Monkeys_Red_Howling">Monkey, Red Howling</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Myrmecophaga jubata</i>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">N.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Negro">Negro of British Guiana, <a href="#Page_117"><i>117</i></a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Neoponera commutata</i>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Nicholson, Mr., <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Notogonia</i> sp. <i>See</i> <a href="#Wasps">Wasps</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Nyctobates giganteus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Beetles_Bark">Beetles, Bark</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">O.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Odocoileus savannarum.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Deer_Savanna">Deer, Savanna</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Odontochila cayennensis.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Beetles_Tiger">Beetles, Tiger</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Odontochila confusa.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Beetles_Tiger">Beetles, Tiger</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Odontochila lacordairei.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Beetles_Tiger">Beetles, Tiger</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Opossum, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Orchids, fragrant white, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23"><i>23</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Orinoco River, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Orioles, Moriche, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Ospreys, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Otter, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">P.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Paca">Paca, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Paddle-wood, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_325"><i>325</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Palm sheath, rocking toy, <a href="#Page_100"><i>100</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Covering flower of palm, <a href="#Page_102"><i>102</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Papilio polydamus</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Parauque, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Paria, Gulf of, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Parrakeets, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Parrots">Parrots, Amazon, Mealy, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Blue-headed, flocking of, <a href="#Page_157">157-158</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Dusky, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Young of, <a href="#Page_344"><i>344</i></a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow fronted, <a href="#Page_66"><i>66</i></a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Eggs of, <a href="#Page_67"><i>67</i></a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Home of, <a href="#Page_64"><i>64</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Island of in Pitch Lake, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63"><i>63</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nest of, <a href="#Page_65"><i>65</i></a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Young of, <a href="#Page_67"><i>67</i></a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Passiflora laurifolia.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Passion_Flower">Passion Flower</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Passion_Flower">Passion Flower, <a href="#Page_272"><i>272</i></a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Paxillus leachii</i>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Peccary_Common">Peccary, common, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, + <a href="#Page_347"><i>347</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1" id="Peccary_White-lipped">White-lipped, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pe-pe-yo. <i>See</i> <a href="#Gold_Bird">Gold Bird</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Perai">Perai, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Peridromia feronia</i>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Peripatus, discovery of and description of, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Perseverance Landing, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Petræa arborea</i>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Phosphorescence off coast of British Guiana, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pickersgill Police Station, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pieris monuste</i>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pigmy Owl, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pipe-fish, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pipitoori. <i>See</i> <a href="#Flycatcher_Gray_Tody">Flycatcher, Gray Tody</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pistia stratiodes.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Shell_Flower">Shell Flower</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Pitch_Lake">Pitch Lake, of Venezuela, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_59"><i>59</i></a>, <a href="#Page_88"><i>88</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Daily life at, <a href="#Page_94">94-96</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Digging pitch, <a href="#Page_90"><i>90</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Early morning trips to, <a href="#Page_55">55-61</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Flora of, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">History of, <a href="#Page_91">91-92</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Jungle railroad to, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56"><i>56</i></a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Loading cars at, <a href="#Page_93"><i>93</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">“Mother” of, <a href="#Page_61"><i>61</i></a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Plover, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Poc-a-poo, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Poeciloptera phalaenoides</i>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Polybia</i> sp., <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pomeroon River, <a href="#Page_234">234-240</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pontón. <i>See</i> <a href="#Guard_Ship">Guard Ship</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Porcupine Tree, <a href="#Page_36"><i>36</i></a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Pork-knocker, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, + <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_406"></a>[406]</span>Port of Spain, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Street life of, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Protective resemblances, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pseudaucheniplerus nodosus</i>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Psidium fluviatile</i>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pterochroya ocellata</i>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Puff-fishes, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_15"><i>15</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Puma, South America, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Purple heart trees, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Pyrophorus</i> sp., <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">Q.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Quadrille-bird">Quadrille-bird, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Quail">Quail, Guiana, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">R.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Racheolopha nivetacta</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Rail">Rail, Cayenne Wood, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Robins, White-breasted, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">White-throated, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_323"><i>323</i></a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Rhyncophorus palmatum.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Weevil">Weevil</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Rodway, James, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">S.</li> + +<li class="indx">Salapenta, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Saman Trees, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sandpipers, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Solitary, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Spotted, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sapadillo, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Scarlet_Ibis">Scarlet Ibis, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Scorpion">Scorpion, <a href="#Page_39"><i>39</i></a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Battle with Caterpillar, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_292"><i>292</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Whip, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Screamer, Horned, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sea-cows. <i>See</i> <a href="#Manatee">Manatee</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Seedeaters, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Blue-backed, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Semiotus ligneus</i>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Serenades, by negroes from Pitch Lake, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Serrasalmo scapularis</i>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Shell_Flower">Shell Flower, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Shypook. <i>See</i> <a href="#Heron_Guiana_Green">Heron, Guiana Green</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Silk Cotton Trees, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sigh heard in the Mangrove forest and explanation of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Simitu">Simitú, <a href="#Page_272"><i>272</i></a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Skimmers, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Sloop">Sloop, Anchored in Guanoco River, <a href="#Page_72"><i>72</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">At La Ceiba, <a href="#Page_18"><i>18</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Description of, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Description of crew of, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Entering Mangroves, <a href="#Page_5"><i>5</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">First night on board, <a href="#Page_72">72-75</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Loss of, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Saying good-by to, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sloths, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Three-toed, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280"><i>280</i></a>, <a href="#Page_281"><i>281</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Snake-birds, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Sphingurus prehensilis</i>, <a href="#Page_36"><i>36</i></a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Spider lilies. <i>See</i> <a href="#Lilies">Lilies</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Spider, Pedipalp. <i>See</i> <a href="#Scorpion">Scorpion</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sproston, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Squirrels, Orange and gray, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Stagmomantis hoorie.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Mantis">Mantis</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Stomolophus meleagris</i>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Stork, Maguari, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sugarcane, experimented on in Botanical Gardens, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Sun-bittern, <a href="#Page_25"><i>25</i></a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Suddie, <a href="#Page_243"><i>243</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Swallows, Banded, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, + <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Barn, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Emerald and white, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red-breasted, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Tree, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Variegated, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Swift, Feather-toed, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> +<li class="isub2">Nest of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Gray-rumped, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Palm, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">T.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tacuba, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Taliput palm, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_128"><i>128</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Tamandua tetradactyla.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Anteater_Lesser">Anteater, Lesser</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tanager, Black-faced, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Blue, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_407"></a>[407]</span>Magpie, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Palm, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_147"><i>147</i></a>, + <a href="#Page_171">171</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Silver-beak, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tapakuma, Lake, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">River, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tarantulas, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, + <a href="#Page_265">265</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tapir, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tarpon, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tayras, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Tegu_Lizard">Tegu Lizard, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Teius nigropunctatus.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Tegu_Lizard">Tegu Lizard</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Temperature, of Hoorie, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Of Mangrove Forest of Venezuela, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tern, Great-billed, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Least, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow-billed, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Testudo tabulata.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Tortoise">Tortoise, South American</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Thrush, Black-capped Mocking, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Thysania agrippina.</i> <i>See</i> <a href="#Moth_Moon">Moth, Moon</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Thurn, Everard F. im. <i>See</i> <a href="#im_Thurn">im Thurn</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tiger Bittern, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tiger, Warracabra, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tinamou, Great Blue, Description of, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Discovery of nest and eggs of, <a href="#Page_47"><i>47</i></a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Guiana Crested, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Little, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tityra, Black-tailed, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Toads, of Georgetown, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123"><i>123</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Telegraph, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Tree, music of, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Tortoise">Tortoise, South American, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Toua-toua. <i>See</i> <a href="#Grosbeak_Brown-breasted_Pigmy">Grosbeak, Brown-breasted Pigmy</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Toucans, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">As food, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Black-banded Aracari, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Feeding of, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red-billed, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red-breasted, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Sulphur- and White-breasted, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Trapping birds, <a href="#Page_125">125-129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tree-hopper, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Trinidad, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Trogon, Yellow-bellied, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Trumpeter">Trumpeters, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_117"><i>117</i></a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, + <a href="#Page_330">330-332</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Twa-twa. <i>See</i> <a href="#Grosbeak_Thick-billed_Pigmy">Grosbeak, Thick-billed Pigmy</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Tyrantlet, Buff-tailed, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">V.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Vampires">Vampires, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Victoria regia</i>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124"><i>124</i></a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Vinton, Mr. and Mrs. Lindley, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Vireo, Brown-throated, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Vulture, Black, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">King, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Orange-headed, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">W.</li> + +<li class="indx">Waini River, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Walking Sticks, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290"><i>290</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Warracabra. <i>See</i> <a href="#Trumpeter">Trumpeter</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Wasps">Wasps, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Nests of, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><i>Notogonia</i>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Protection of Cassiques by, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Water-haas. <i>See</i> <a href="#Capybara">Capybara</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Water Hyacinth, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Water Lemon. <i>See</i> <a href="#Simitu">Simitú</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx" id="Weevil">Weevils, Palm, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Welcome of Wilderness, <a href="#Page_88">88-90</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">“Whó-are-yoú?”, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Wilderness, early morning in, <a href="#Page_346"><i>346</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Wilshire, Mr. Gaylord, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_182"><i>182</i></a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Mrs. Gaylord, <a href="#Page_x">x</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Witch Birds. <i>See</i> <a href="#Anis">Anis</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Withers, Mr., house of at Bartica, <a href="#Page_246">246-248</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Wood Ibis, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Woodhewers, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, + <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Accompanying hunting ants, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Cinnamon spine-tail, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1"><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_408"></a>[408]</span>Clinging to trunk of tree, <a href="#Page_50"><i>50</i></a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Music of, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Wedge-billed Pigmy, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Woodpeckers, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Guiana Ivory-bill, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Red-crested, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Yellow, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41"><i>41</i></a>.</li> + +<li class="indx">Wren, Guiana House, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, + <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Jungle, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Marsh, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li class="isub1">Necklaced Jungle. <i>See</i> <a href="#Quadrille-bird">Quadrille-bird</a>.</li> + +<li class="ifrst">Z.</li> + +<li class="indx"><i>Zaevius calocore</i>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + +</ul> + +<div class="transnote"> + +<p>Transcriber’s Note: The music files are the music transcriber’s interpretation +of the printed notation and are placed in the public domain.</p> + +<p class="x-ebookmaker-drop">Click on the [Listen] link to hear the music and on the [MusicXML] link to download the notation.</p> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75453 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75453-h/images/birdsong1.jpg b/75453-h/images/birdsong1.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..114a29c --- /dev/null +++ b/75453-h/images/birdsong1.jpg diff --git a/75453-h/images/birdsong2.jpg b/75453-h/images/birdsong2.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e331e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/75453-h/images/birdsong2.jpg diff --git a/75453-h/images/birdsong3.jpg b/75453-h/images/birdsong3.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5ad7fef --- /dev/null +++ b/75453-h/images/birdsong3.jpg diff --git a/75453-h/images/butterfly.jpg b/75453-h/images/butterfly.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..22db4cd --- /dev/null +++ b/75453-h/images/butterfly.jpg diff --git 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