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



satisfactory account of its ajipearance than that it was coflfee- 

 coloured; and abont the size of a small Thrush. Its song, which 

 I heard frequently, is most peculiar, and comprises some of the 

 highest notes I ever heard from any bird. It is clear and 

 melodious, without having any great variation. The name 

 commonly applied to it is the ' ruisefior' or Nightingale. I 

 think it probable that the bird may be one of the numerous 

 Wrens found in the country. 



The cries of the Quesal are various. They consist principally 

 of a low double note, " whe-oo, tvhe-oo," which the bird repeats, 

 whistling it softly at first, and then gradually swelling it into a 

 loud but not unmelodious cry. This is often succeeded by a 

 long note, which begins low, and after swelling dies away as it 

 began. Both these notes can be easily imitated by the human 

 voice. The bird's other cries are harsh and discordant. They 

 are best imitated by doubling a pliant leaf over the first fingers, 

 which must be held about two inches apart. The two edges of 

 the leaf being then placed in the mouth and the breath drawn 

 in, the required sound is produced. Cipriano was an adept at 

 imitating these cries, but I failed in producing them for want 

 of practice. When searching for Quesals the hunter whistles 

 as he walks along, here and there sitting down and repeating 

 the other notes. As soon as he hears a bird answering at a 

 distance he stops, and imitates the bird^s cries until it has 

 approached near enough to enable him either to shoot it from 

 where he stands, or to creep up to within shot. The female 

 generally flies up first and perches on a tree near the hunter, 

 who takes no notice of her, but continues calling till the male, 

 who usually quickly follows the female, appears. Should the 

 male not show himself, the hunter will sometimes shoot the 

 female. Thus it is that so large a proportion of males are shot. 

 The flight of the Quesal is rapid and straight; the long tail- 

 feathers, which never seem to be in his way, stream after him. 

 The bird is never found except in forests composed of the 

 highest trees, the lower branches of which [i. e. those at about 

 two-thirds of the height of the tree from the ground) seem to 

 be its favourite resort. Its food consists principally of fruit, but 

 occasionally a caterpillar may be found in its stomach. The 



