108 THE ODYSSEY OF AN ANIMAL COLLECTOR 
nest in termites’ nests. If this is so, it is not a constant habit, for 
I found the nest of the Green Trogon in a hollow at the top of 
a rotten tree stump only about eight feet high. The male of this 
species has the head and breast deep blue, the back metallic green, 
and the under parts orange-yellow. I captured this pair, and a pair 
of Black-throated Trogons that visited a termites’ nest daily. These 
were smaller than the others, the male having the head and neck 
bright green, with orange-yellow underparts. 
On the edge of the forest one day I stood watching some 
tanagers feeding in a ficus tree. A trogon arrived and from a 
neighboring tree made frequent darts at the small ficus fruit, 
snatching one at a time while still on the wing and then returning. 
This behavior seemed most peculiar. Why did it not sit on the 
branches of the ficus tree and have a good feed as the tanagers 
were doing? Just then there was a loud squawk and some flutter- 
ing on the tip of one of the lower branches. Rushing up I saw 
that a Palm Tanager was firmly held by a Green Sharp-nosed 
Tree Snake. The snake hung on determinedly to his prey and 
allowed me to seize him by the neck with one hand and the bird 
with the other. The latter I liberated and it flew off none the 
worse for its adventure, as the snake was non-venomous. These 
tree snakes have the instinct to go where birds are chattering and 
feeding and wait poised near the tip of a branch, their protective 
coloration rendering them almost invisible. Any small bird settling 
within reach is caught with the spring-like thrust of the snake’s 
head and neck before it realizes what has happened. In this 
instance it seems that the trogon either suspected possible danger, 
or had actually seen the snake. Anyway, the latter with his lovely 
green coat and sharp-pointed snout made an interesting addition 
to my collection. 
I have several times caught with my hands snakes in the act 
of swallowing their prey, usually frogs or rodents. They are then 
at a disadvantage, for the swallowing action is very slow, and 
they are also unable to disgorge quickly. 
When Joe and I were walking through the swamps we dis- 
turbed a half-grown Capybara. This is the world’s largest rodent— 
his body being much like that of a pig—who loves swampy places, 
where he feeds exclusively on lush vegetation. He is an excellent 
