or observed in the Republic of Honduras, i^c. \7 



on the bank. A fire was lighted ; and we niade a hurried meal 

 on tea and armadillo. The flesh looked and tasted much like 

 that of a young pig. Edwards was loud in its praise; but I 

 did not eat much, as it was too fat and rich. I do not want to 

 accuse any animal without good cause ; but I was quite well 

 when I ate it, and for two days afterwards was unwell, and had 

 to take a strong dose of medicine to remove a bilious attack. 

 This might have been occasioned by lying out all night in a 

 canoe; but I think the armadillo is as likely, or more so, to 

 have been the cause. 



It was nearly dark when we embarked. The river flowed out 

 of the lake, which was perhaps a couple of miles distant. There 

 was very little current in it. The water was deep and still, and 

 had a very alligatory appearance. The banks were covered with 

 dense forest and lofty trees, which completely overhung and 

 overshaded the river. In our way we disturbed numbers of 

 Night Herons, whose cries, added to the croaking of innume- 

 rable frogs, made no inconsiderable noise. Every bush and 

 bough contained fireflies ; and the scenery was tropical in the 

 extreme. I should have much liked to go along this river 

 by daylight ; it was evidently good bird-ground. The shores 

 of the lake are covered with floating reeds ; and, the wind 

 being ahead, and occasionally too strong for us to proceed, we 

 made fast to them until it lulled again. We had only some twelve 

 miles to go, and by early dawn had arrived at our destination. 

 While our luggage was being disembarked, I went ofi" in a canoe, 

 with Corporal Church, after some Ducks {Dendrocrjgna autum- 

 nalis) which I saw among the reeds. As they were not used to 

 being shot at, they were not wild, and at the first shot I picked 

 up three ; a second discharge produced two. I was within easy 

 distance of several of them, sitting well together, with their 

 heads up, and had calculated on four or five at least, when, 

 owing to the exceeding dampness of the air (for the fog had not 

 yet cleared ofi"), my gun missed fire. They had by this time 

 become more wary ; so, as the morning felt very aguish, and I 

 was tired and hungry, I went in. 



We remained two days at the Lake of Yojoa, putting up at a 

 hacienda situated a few hundred yards from the edge of the 



VOL. II. c 



