::::::::»x TWO BIRD -LOVERS IN MEXICO J*:"""" 



calling and dabbling for food in the moist places close 

 to our horses' feet. Greater Yellow-legs and their 

 miniature copies — the Lesser — waded in the flooded 

 areas. The beauties of all the long-legged waders — 

 the Black-necked Stilts — were here in great numbers. 

 In one small swamp meadow I counted more than 

 eighty, and in all directions their striking black and 

 white forms were visible, raised above the level of 

 the reeds. With all their great length of legs they 

 were graceful walkers, their movements having an 

 easv swing wliich was most pleasing. From their little 

 round heads with the long, slender, needle-like bills, 

 the bright jet-black eyes kept sharp watch upon us, 

 but they showed no fear unless we approached within 

 a few yards, when they glided evenly but (piickly to 

 one side. 



The Louff-billed Curlews were more warv, and their 

 complaining cries as they took to wing caused the 

 Great Blue Herons and tlie Reddish Egrets to strain 

 their necks u])ward susj)iciously. These birds were 

 conspicuous a long way oil' ; one could easily count 

 half a hundred herons within a hundred yards of our 

 horses, but not so the ducks. A few dozen yards away 

 there would be visible an indistinct, moving mass of 

 many bobbing, mottled forms. As we approached we 

 distinguished coots, white of bill and heavy-footed ; 

 JNIallard Ducks, with their iridescent green heads and 

 white necklaces ; Gadwalls, with beautiful marbled 



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