[ 124 ) 



return we all worked, and put up about 50 birds — mocking birds, finches, and several 

 Camar/ipichi/s, Pt/rocepknlus, and Certhidea. 



Oct. 14. — Breakfast early, and then all four started for the ranehe of Scnor 

 Cobos on foot. Tliere was some misunderstanding abont horses, and we found that 

 we could not get away till noon, so we accepted his earnest invitation to breakfast, 

 and then set out to see his coffee plantation. Onr trip took us through long groves 

 of banana trees and other tropical fruits. The scenery was beautiful : large green 

 trees, tropical vinos and jilants, little jwols of water — all of which, combined, fnlfilled 

 my idea of a tropical paradise. Black Camarhjncid and Pyrocephalus were 

 abundant here ; Certhidea also quite common. There were big flocks of tnrnstone 

 on the pasture lands. "We got back in time for the 11-o'clock breakfast. Had a 

 very good meal, with the best chocolate that I ever tasted. We noticed them 

 making rope of the threads of a kind of cactus which grew about the place. Prognc 

 were numerous about the house. After breakfast we got the horses, and in company 

 with a nephew of Cobos and his book-keeper we started for the top of the island. 

 The land was all open, and looked like good soil. It was a rather up-and-down ride, 

 but we reached the big fresh-water lake, in the bottom of an old crater. It was so 

 foggy that we could not see over 60 yards. They said it was half a mile in diameter. 

 There was a flock of teal on it. We heard a curlew and a plover on the way up. 

 We rode around the lake, and on our return had supper with Cobos, returning to 

 the vessel after dark. It was very dark, but we found the shore and then the vessel, 

 and were soon aboard. 



Oct. 15.— Awoke very sore, the result of yesterday's riding ! Hull, Beck, and 

 myself made up 40 birds secured yesterday. Water, " yuccas," and bananas were 

 brought aboard. 



Oct. 16. — Hull, Beck, and myself went ashore early, and got 20 birds each. 

 Beck got a dove and & female bobolink (Dolichonyx orijzivorus). The dove was the 

 only one seen on this island by us, and the first bobolink recorded for the group 

 since Darwin's visit. We went on board before dinner, and had the birds put up by 

 supper-time. We gave our mail to Captain Barnhoff to post in Gnyaquil. 



Oct. 17. — Harris started up to the hacienda of Senor Cobos about 5 a.m., to see 

 about water, and returned shortly after dinner in company with Cobos, his nephew, 

 and another gentleman. They remained a short time, and then all but Cobos were 

 put aboard the other vessel bound for Gnyaquil. They immediately weighed anchor 

 and sailed. After putting Cobos ashore we did the same. 



Oct. 18.— There had been no wind during the night, and the strong current had 

 taken us off the island so far that all day was spent in getting back. 



Oct. 19. — Vessel lay to on the north side of the island. We went ashore at 

 7.30, and started collecting. Birds not numerous, and mostly (reospizae. Two 

 species of Camarlii/nchas were taken. Beck and myself each got a Certhidea. A 

 few Nesomimus were taken at a little pool near the shore. Five or six martins 

 were taken. Boobies were very plentifnl. We noticed some nesting. One nest 

 contained two eggs badly incubated. I say nest, but there was no nest, the two 

 chalky eggs being laid on the bare ground. Very hot in the middle of the day. 



Oct. 20. — At sea ; the weather abont the same. Up to noon we made very little 

 progress, bnt came in sight of Hood Island at supper-time. 



Oct. 22. — Got up early. The vessel was within 5 or (! miles of Hood Island. 

 We got to work on the tortoise, and had it finished before dinner. The vessel came 

 to anchor in Gardiner Bay, Hood Island, at VK'M) a.m. After dinner we went up to 



