:::r.::::=»v TWO BIRD- LOVERS IN MEXICO B:""-" 



a tardy part. According to the " inexorable law " of 

 Nature (or more correctly that of some scientists), the 

 male kingfisher should accept the stronger bird and 

 relinquish his vanquished mate. But deep in these 

 barrancas may not a bird do as he chooses? Before 

 I could interfere, he had driven the strange female 

 into the air. Around and round they went, close to the 

 surface of the water, their wliite-spotted wings flashing 

 1)V, angry clicks filling the air. At last they disap- 

 peared, and not for three or four minutes did the val- 

 iant little bird return. His mate was unharmed, and 

 together they flew away, and in two days they began 

 a nest in a bank of clay some distance upstream. 



The method of starting this tunnel was peculiar. 

 The birds took turns in flying at tlie bank, and, bal- 

 ancinji' on flutterin<»" winos, thev made dart after dart 

 at its surface, each stroke flicking oil' a small chip of 

 clay from one particular spot. Next day, the hole had 

 been bored to a depth of several inches, so that a firm 

 foothold was afforded, and the laborious fluttering was 

 no longer necessary. This same })air of kingfisliers 

 spent some of their nights in another hole — perhaps 

 an old nest — near camp. 



A tliird bird-voice rang out in the early mornings, 

 unmusical and most penetrating — the call-note of the 

 Elegant Woodpecker. Except for a circle of black 

 feathers about the eyes, and the golden instead of red 

 hue of the nape of the neck, he would readily pass for 



- *4 140 ^ 



