TO THE MAQUIRI TARES' LAND 361 



operations was to be established. Several windfalls of considerable width 

 had to be cut through and trees to serve as foot-bridges felled across a num- 

 ber of streams. This required considerable time but the work on the whole 

 progressed most satisfactorily and in a week nearly four miles of trail, or 

 over half the estimated distance to the mountain had been completed. 



Then came the first signs heralding the approach of the rainy season. 

 The mists that now perpetually enshrouded Mount Duida assumed a deep 

 gray tint and there sprung up suddenly and at frequent intervals cold winds 

 that swept over the forest with cyclonic velocity — bringing many of the 

 great forest trees crashing to the ground — accompanied by vivid flashes 

 and ominous rumblings that clearly told of the forces at work among the 

 lofty peaks. 



The Maquiritares, in common with many tribes of South American 

 Indians, are imbued with the belief that the mountain fastnesses are the 

 abode of evil spirits and at the first clash of the elements our Indians showed 

 great uneasiness, finally disappearing under cover of night, taking the boat. 

 Their departure, while appalling at first thought, was not a serious matter 

 on account of the close proximity of Yacare to which numbers of Indians 

 would return at the close of the rubber season, but a few weeks off. Pro- 

 visions and ammunition we had sufficient for six or eight months. 



At this time Mr. Iglseder suffered a severe attack of malaria and the 

 men were immediately sent down the river on an improvised raft to bring 

 a boat from Trocoapure, a rubber camp on the Orinoco. When they re- 

 turned beriberi had set in and Mr. Iglseder's condition was so serious that 

 retreat was not only necessary but instant flight imperative. Favorable 

 conditions attended the return and in nine days San Fernando de Atabapo 

 was reached. 



The collections of birds are large and have yielded a number of new 

 species and one genus new to science. Other results of the expedition are 

 most interesting and surprising. Mount Duida is not the isolated moun- 

 tain "island" as was supposed, but is connected with the mountains of the 

 Ventuari and Parima Range by a series of hills. Its elevation is compara- 

 tively low, being less than six thousand feet. Any attempt to reach the top, 

 which to all appearances is rugged bare granite, should be made from the 

 west, as the slope is gradual and forested for a considerable distance up. 



To secure the best results, assistants should be taken from Trinidad, as 

 both Venezuelans and Indians are untrustworthy and totally lacking in in- 

 telligence. The dry season is much shorter than in the lower Orinoco and 

 work must be pushed with all possible speed. 



