196 THE NATURALIST IX NICARAGUA. [Ch. XI. 



the rock, and orchids, ferns, and small shrubs grew in 

 the clefts and on ledges. There were two fine orchids in 

 flower, which grew not only on the rock, but on some 

 stunted trees at its hase ; and beneath some fallen rocks 

 grew a pretty club-moss, and two curious little ferns 

 (Aneimea oblongifolia and hirsuta), with the masses of 

 spores on stalks rising from the pinnules. The rock was 

 the same as that of Pena Blanca, but the vegetation 

 was entirely distinct. To the south-west there was a 

 fine view down the Juigalpa valley to the lake, with 

 Ometepec in the distance, and some sugar-loaf hills 

 nearer at hand. The weather had cleared up, white 

 cumuli only sailed across the blue aerial ocean. The 

 scene had no feature in it of a purely tropical character, 

 excepting that three gaudy macaws Avere wheeling round 

 and round in playful flight, now showing all red on the 

 under surface, then turning all together, as if they were 

 one body, and showing the gorgeous blue, yellow, and red 

 of the upper side gleaming in the sunshine ; screaming 

 meanwhile as they flew with harsh, discordant cries. This 

 gaudy- coloured and noisy bird seems to proclaim aloud 

 that it fears no foe. Its formidable beak protects it from 

 every danger, for no hawk or predatory mammal dares 

 attack a bird so strongly armed. Here the necessity for 

 concealment does not exist, and sexual selection has had 

 no check in developing the brightest and most conspicuous 

 colours. If such a bird was not able to defend itself from 

 all foes, its loud cries would attract them ; its bright colours 

 direct them to its own destruction. The white cockatoo 

 of Australia is a similar instance. It is equally conspi- 

 cuous amongst the dark- green foliage by its pure white 

 colour, and equally its loud screams proclaim from afar 



