:::::::::§x TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO B-"'"-: 



air at times when the bird was almost beyond the range 

 of vision. The Goshawk's cry is a succession of clear 

 tones, peculiarly liquid for the notes of a hawk. The 

 principal food of the Goshawk in these barrancas was 

 lizards, which it snatched up with most marvellous 

 skill. Tlie unfortunate saurian would see its fate com- 

 ing and flash by so swiftly that to our eyes it ])assed 

 as a streak of brown or oreen. But the hawk's iud"- 

 ment is exact. The lizard is swift, the hawk is swifter, 

 and unless a thick tangle is near, into which the rep- 

 tile can hurl itself, the meetinii' of the acute anofle of 

 its flight and the bird's descent is as certain as fate. 



IJIltDS OK THK DAWN 



As I have said, the Black Hawks came about our 

 camp in the afternoon and were active until late in the 

 evening. Hours after darkness had closed down, we 

 heard their screams as they passed overhead. But they 

 were awake and away long before daylight, and dur- 

 ing the whole morning small birds seemed more at 

 their ease, owing to the absence of birds of prey. Al- 

 though we were at an altitude of about 4000 feet, 

 tropical nature was by no means absent. After the 

 chill of nightfall had passed, birds appeared which we 

 had long looked forward to seeing. 



The beautiful little wren-s})rites of the harranca 

 were the first to waken and sing, and we hardly recog- 

 nized in them the Mexican Canyon Wrens of the house- 



•»4 140 -^ " 



