96 I N A G U A 



grain which I gave it, so obviously unhappy that I allowed it 

 to escape. 



Most fearless were the mockingbirds. These were much 

 lighter in plumage than our northern mockingbirds and it was 

 not at all uncommon to have them perch on the windowsills 

 while I was busy working and sing out their hearts quite oblivi- 

 ous of my presence. There was one individual in particular 

 that used the ridgepole for its nocturnal musings. In the quiet 

 hours just before the coming of new day, when the trade winds 

 had slackened almost to a calm, when all other sounds were 

 hushed, this lone mockingbird would pour out its whole reper- 

 toire in the still air, note after note in liquid melody. It was 

 the most entrancing hour of the island's day. 



For sheer fascination and entertainment, however, none ex- 

 ceeded the hummingbirds. They were everywhere. Extremely 

 tame, darting with Hghtning speed through the needle-lined 

 passages of the prickly pear, feeding on the cactus blossoms, 

 chirping in odd notes, hovering on invisible wings, they were 

 irrepressible. The doors and windows were continually filled 

 with their flashing forms and the rafters echoed with the buzz 

 of their activity. In one corner of the yard near the stone wall 

 was a remnant of what once had been a considerable bed of 

 bitter aloe plants. When I first arrived these were in full bloom, 

 tall composite blossoms of rich chrome yellow hung with long 

 deep rows of tubular chalices. Their brilliant hue attracted the 

 hummingbirds for acres around and I once counted as many as 

 thirty hovering over the stalks at one time. They were com- 

 pletely without fear and permitted me to approach to within 

 a few feet. Perfect confidence born of their marvelous powers 

 of flight and years of living undisturbed by man made them 

 indifferent to my presence. I have photographs in my collec- 

 tion showing them sound asleep on tiny twigs quite oblivious to 

 my maneuverings with the camera. The supreme evidence of 



