:::::::::*■ TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO W^:^ 



it across the bridge and up to the place where the 

 mule is jogging along, when his traces are refastened 

 and the regular gallop is resumed. As a spectacular 

 jjerformance it is worthy of being instituted as a circus 

 feature ! 



The way to Agua AzuL or the " Blue Water/' as the 

 oasis is called, is along a path shaded l)y two lines of 

 willows, and a few minutes after leaving the city one 

 alights in the midst of a garden full of old-fashioned 

 flowers in blossom. A little way beyond, a stream 

 broadens out into a good-sized lake dotted with little 

 wooded islands. In all directions, green marsh and 

 undergrowtli and luxuriant willows offer ideal condi- 

 tions for bird life. Here birds of many kinds have 

 congregated for luitold years, and a wise governor, 

 loving tliem as a boy and looking forward to their 

 ultimate fate, had a law passed as soon as he came to 

 power, forbidding all shooting and trapping in Afjua 

 Azul. 



The birds, here as everywhere in the world, instantly 

 appreciating tlieir security, haunt the spot in myriads 

 and are remarkably tame. Guadalajara lias no need of 

 aviaries and flying cages, for here is one prepared by 

 Nature. Unlike so many bird-beloved spots in our 

 United States, it has not been abused by the people, 

 and has not had its protective laws enacted only when 

 the time has forever passed for their usefulness. 



The little public park or garden at the edge of Agua 



«4 68 ^ 



