JAN., 1912. MAMMALS, VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA OSGOOD. 35 



the mangroves bordering the lake. Cattle trails and bridle paths 

 lead in all directions, and in general great freedom of movement is 

 possible. Animal life is abundant and varied, including at least three 

 associations of species, that of the mangroves, that of the rushes and 

 open swamps, and that of the dry wooded upland. 



Paramo de Tama, February i2-March 6. Paramo de Tama is the 

 name applied to the more or less distinct mountain mass lying near 

 the boundary between Venezuela and Colombia at the source of the 

 Tachira River.* Our approach to it was along the course of this river 

 and our final camps were near the headwaters, two days' hard travel 

 from the hot valley in which Cucuta lies. Much of the lower slopes 

 of the mountains is cultivated, or at least cleared and used for pasture. 

 The country is rugged, however, and the mountains close in rapidly, 

 sloping steeply to both sides of the river only a few miles south of 

 the picturesque pueblo of San Antonio. Among the steep canyons 

 well along the way is the settlement of Planadas, and some miles far- 

 ther is Mundo Nuevo, a forlorn but quaint-looking little village perched 

 on a shelving bit of mountain-side, from which steep declivities drop 

 almost directly to the river. 



Here we are in the tierra fria and although an occasional palm, a 

 small cultivation of plantains, or a hedge of golden-fruited wild oranges 

 still reminds that we are not in a northern region, there are many fea- 

 tures distinctly incongruous with these. Waste places in the clearings 

 support great patches of familiar looking wing ferns and thickets of 

 veritable blackberries in full fruit, while about some of the houses are 

 peach trees, and on the cultivated hillsides growing corn, potatoes, 

 and beans. 



Our headquarters were at the very last and uppermost hacienda, 

 known as El Severia, where we were introduced by our good friend Sr. 

 Don Mario Gonzales, the owner, and cordially received by Don Sebas- 

 tian Valencia, the due no, or manager. Considerable clearing sur- 

 rounds the hacienda, and a few outlying ranchos, or thatched shelters 

 for laborers, are encountered here and there, but in general the country 

 above and beyond is in virgin condition. A great unbroken forest 

 covers the slopes lying below the crescentic crest of the paramo, which 

 is largely rugged, rocky, and bare, but with tongues of forest or strag- 

 gling trees creeping over the summit at certain points. 



The first camp was in the heart of this forest at an estimated alti- 

 tude of 7,500 feet. A narrow rough trail having been cut for several 



* The word paramo, strictly speaking, applies to the bleak plateau which usually characterizes 

 the summit of such mountains, but in this case it often refers to the entire elevated region. 



