:::::::::C TWO bird-lovers in Mexico B^"--" 



Every native is an innate lover of music. The 

 Spanish melodies of the skilful musicians touch one of 

 the deepest chords in the hearts of the Mexicans, and 

 arouse in the usually stolid faces an enjoyment and 

 appreciation which makes them seem a different race 

 of peoi)le. 



A sudden realization ol the two-sided Mexican char- 

 acter comes to us. No matter how one's patience has 

 been tried by diurnal bartering-s and mananas, or one's 

 sense offended by unpleasant visions, one is g'lad to 

 have the cliance to mingle with the Mexicans in the 



cf 



evening, and to revel in their music. 



This is the ideal side of their lite. If the feeling 

 and inspiration of the eveninj^ could be spread out to 

 cover their whole existence. tlu» average low type of 

 IMexican would soon rise to liiiiher thing's ; other and 

 better desires would fill his heart than cock-pits and 

 bull-fights, gambling, and the terrible teqvihi. What 

 else can bring about such a change, who can tell ! 

 Quien sahe ! 



Next morning, when the stars began to dim in the 

 east, we were up and ready to start on the trail. A new 

 side of the Mexican character was revealed before we 

 mounted. Our Mexican boy had had a bundle of cloth- 

 ing stolen and a straw sombrero, and, curiously enough, 

 the thief replaced the latter with a more valuable 

 headgear. 



Thus far we liad not suffered from the proverbial 



«4 .'U^2 ^ 



