GLOSSARY 207 



liana (16-a'na; li-an'a). A general name for the climbing and 



twining plants in tropical forests. 

 Lorita (16-re'ta). Spanish, meaning ''little parrot." 



M 



macaw (ma-k6'). A large, especially gaudy parrot with the 

 face partly bare of feathers. 



machete (ma-cha'ta). A long heavy knife used in Spanish- 

 American countries as a tool and a weapon. 



manakin (man'a-kin). A small thickset bird with brilliant 

 plumage. It is native to the hottest parts of America. 



marmoset (mar'mo-zet). A small squirrel-Hke monkey, 

 ranging from a few inches to a foot long. It lives in the 

 forests of tropical America and feeds on insects. It 

 makes an amusing pet. 



Miraflores (me-ra-flo'ras). The name of the two pairs of 

 locks nearest the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, and 

 of the mile-long lake above them. 



Molino (mo-le'no). The name of a young Panamanian natu- 

 ralist who helped us. 



mosquito (mos-ke'to). One of the many different kinds of 

 gnats and midges. The female bites animals and draws 

 blood. Some kinds carry disease germs, such as yellow 

 fever and malaria. 



motmot (mot'mot). A tropical bird that trims its two 

 longest tail feathers, leaving an end the shape of a tennis 

 racket. 



mucho malo (moo'cho ma'lo). Spaj^iish for "very bad." 



N 



nequi (ne'ke). A relative of the guinea pig. It lives in 

 burrows and on the jungle floor in warm parts of America. 



