:::::::;»x TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO sfe:::::::: 



the other seven turned and followed. Their curved 

 bills and long legs were bright pink and gleamed viv- 

 idly, as the white cloud of birds winged its way north- 

 ward over the tops of the palms. 



Having need of the skin and skeleton of a Black 

 Hawk, I shot one of these birds not far from camp, 

 and only when too late, I found that it was one of a 

 pair which had built a nest overhanging the stream. 

 Shortly after the death of her mate (for my specimen 

 was a male bird) the female returned and alighted upon 

 the nest. It was built in the top of one of the liana- 

 encumbered trees, which was dra})ed and hung with 

 a thick mass of entangled vine-cordage. By pulling 

 myself u}) these slender rope-like lianas, I was able to 

 look down into the structure, without once touchino; 

 the trunk or branches of the tree itself. The hawk 

 left the nest as I reached it. I found nearly a bushel 

 of rough sticks woven compactly together, and a thick 

 lining of fresh willow leaves had been recently added, 

 but there were no ei»*o;s. Mv rejrrets at bavin": shot the 

 male were needless, for the verv next day I found that 

 the bereaved bird had found a mate and both were 

 carrying more leaves to add to the lining. 



In tbis same tangle, there once came to us one of 

 those fortunate moments which remain so lon<j in one's 

 mind ; one of those settings around which memory 

 groups the details and lesser happenings. A Belted 

 Kingfisher rattled on a branch overhead, and the sight 



-04 316 ^ 



