Mr. 0. Salvin's Quesal-shooting in Vera Paz. 141 



dwindle, I sound a retreat, as, had we been left in darkness, 

 no amount of groping would bring us out. This cave would 

 appear to be of great length ; the river that flows from it 

 forms no mean stream. On leaving the cave I begin to collect 

 ferns, many species of which are growing about the rocks and 

 surrounding trees*. Whilst thus engaged, a shower of fruit 

 from a neighbouring tree calls my attention, and looking up, I 

 spy a 'Mico leon^ [Cei'coleptes caudivolvulus) regaling himself 

 on a well-loaded bough. I immediately send a boy back for my 

 gun, which I have left at the mouth of the cave, intending to 

 return. Mico leon however makes off, but Cipriano and Filipe 

 are soon on his track. The latter fires a shot, and I another, 

 when the animal falls into the water and swims to the other side. 

 Not being able to climb the bank, two Indians strip off their only 

 garment, swim the river, despatch Mico leon, and bring him over 

 between them. These Indians swim well and rapidly, striking 

 out first with one arm and then the other, throwing each out of 

 the water at every stroke. 



March 9. — A downpour of rain, misty, drizzling, continuous. 

 However, Cipriano and I pay a visit to the cave, but the forest 

 being too wet to shoot, and rain falling, I collect ferns and land- 

 shells under the shelter of the overhanging rock. On returning 

 to the convent I am for the rest of the day beset with Indians, 

 men and boys, women and girls, bringing lizards, snakes, &c., 

 showing the same excellent collecting qualities as the Coban 

 Indians. 



March 10. — Still raining in the same incessant way,— not 

 a thunderstorm and clear sky afterwards, as during the rainy 

 season in the neighbourhood of Guatemala. At Coban and the 

 Alta Vera Paz, it seems to rain at any hour and at any season. 



March 11. — Still in Lanquin, but the weather decidedly im- 

 proving. During the afternoon we go out to shoot. Observing 

 on a pine-tree about a dozen nests of Ocyalus wagleri, with which 

 the old birds are busy, I send for an axe and have the tree cut 

 down, but find neither eggs nor young in the nests. The birds 



* The collection I made during this expedition, as well as all that I 

 obtained in other places, I have submitted to Sir W. Hooker, who has most 

 kindly named the whole for me. Amongst the species are several novelties. 



