258 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ORNITHOLOGY, VOL. I. 



though dense shrubbery and jungle-grown ravines offered many a 

 retreat where birds, though abundant, could not be secured. The 

 collector's most serious difficulty, however, was due to the abundance 

 of parasitic growths upon the trunks and branches of the trees. 

 Epiphytes, ferns, orchids and climbing vines occurred in such pro- 

 fusion that many a bird, fairly killed, would lodge during its fall in 

 one of these parasites. Its recovery was usually impossible. Back 

 of the potrero, or pasture, surrounding the Calleja estate, was a steep 

 forested slope. A climb of a thousand feet brought one to a 

 series of grass-covered meadows, dotted with tall trees, shrubbery, 

 and hemmed in by gloomy forests. Here the bird-life was noticeably 

 different from that lower down. The Calandria or Three-wattled 

 Bell-bird, was here in abundance, though absent below. Other birds 

 found here in large numbers, though rare or absent at the lower level, 

 were Myioborus aurantiacus, Myioborus torquatus, Oreothlypis guttur- 

 alis and Catharus gracilirostris. Quezals were reported as being very 

 common here. 



The nights at Coliblanco were extremely chilly and the days varied 

 from moderate to cool. Much rain fell during my stay, which extended 

 from February 8 to 23. 



The next region visited was at the base of the Ash-cone of the 

 volcano of Turrialba, at an altitude of about 9,000 feet. It was a five 

 hours' climb by pack animals from Coliblanco. Don Francisco Gutier- 

 rez gave me lodgings at his lecheria, or dairy-farm, and was a most 

 agreeable companion and kind host. Collecting was done here 

 from February 23 to March 2. The natural beauty of the region 

 excites the greatest admiration. The lecheria was in the midst of an 

 open park-like forest. The foliage varied from the brightest green 

 to copper color, while each tree bore flowers of various hues, either of 

 its own or of some parasitic growth, as of vines, bromeliads, or orchids. 

 As can be imagined, the park was a paradise for hummers as well as 

 for other insectivorous birds that preyed upon the insects that 

 sought the flowers. A heavy forest surrounds the Ash-cone, and 

 many deep and densely wooded ravines make much of the region 

 almost impassable. However, grassy slopes occur here and there, 

 a boon alike to the cattle-raiser and the collector. Two characteristic 

 birds of this place are the Quezal and the Three-wattled Bell-bird. 



The volcano was ascended to its summit (11,067 f eet ) and its 

 sole avian inhabitants were the Volcano junco and Selasphorus 

 torridus. 



On March 3 the journey to sea-level was begun. Odd days were 



