:::::::::C TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO B-"-"" 



Here came the brilliant tanagers — neither the Louisi- 

 ana nor the Hepatic nor the Cooper, which we had 

 expected to find, but the same Summer Tanager whose 

 flaming red form is so common in that place so be- 

 loved of birds, — and some of us, — an old-fashioned 

 Virginia garden. In the cool pools, a quartet of these 

 birds — two scarlet, two green — splashed and fluttered 

 each morninii'. The oreen-}»arbed females then led the 

 way to some high, sunlit tree where each feather was 

 preened and dried and the living spots of flame, from 

 very joy of life, gave utterance to tlieir li(piid double 

 notes. 



Sometimes the Mexican Pileated Woodpeckers de- 

 serted their wild figs and came in great swinging loops 

 of red, white, and black for a brief drink at these magic 

 pools. Never before had I seen a member of this 

 sturdy race of woodj)eckers on the ground. How they 

 do pound the sounding-boards which they find ready 

 to hand, fashioned bv the lightning and seasoned by 

 the weather ! Tbcir heads vibrate until their scarlet 

 head-plumes become a ruddy blur, and tlie reverber- 

 ating roll comes clear and crisp. Their notes are 

 loud and varied, and when suspicious of danger, their 

 calls are like the excited scolding of Red S(piirrels — 

 thouo;h much louder. Thev deliuht to swins: on the 

 slender, uplifted arms of the organ cactus, leaning 

 far back from their firm support of feet and stiff tail- 

 feathers. 



«4 'iOG ^ 



