296 THE STORY OF A BIRD LOVER 



friends as freely as on the ground, with a delibera- 

 tion that indicates perfect freedom from fear. The 

 ani is a member of the cuckoo family, and is 

 among the more characteristic of the West 

 Indian birds. It is not a little curious that in 

 certain of its traits the cow-bird closely resembles 

 the ani, and the cow-bird's habit of laying eggs in 

 other birds' nests is found in another representa- 

 tive of the cuckoo group. 



Comfortable quarters awaited us at the English- 

 American inn, established this winter with expec- 

 tation of extended patronage; for the much-heralded 

 West Indian Exposition was to open the first of 

 February. We had no desire to linger in this 

 tourist-ridden spot, but began within a day or two 

 to seek a suburban place where my work could 

 be carried on without interruption. Before start- 

 ing on our quest I called at King's House, pre- 

 sented my letter of introduction to Sir Henry 

 Blake, the governor, received from him a cordial 

 welcome, and the official sanction to carry on my 

 investigation of the bird life of the island. Lady 

 Blake took us through the beautiful gardens, 

 pointed out the many rare and strange plants, and 

 showed us her interesting drawings and paintings 

 of the bats of Jamaica, of which she has made a 

 careful study. 



Our American consul, Mr. , interested him- 

 self in our behalf, and furnished us with a list of 



