:::::::::=»x TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO :*::::::::: 



air at times Avlien the bird was almost beyond the range 

 of vision. The GoshaAvk's cry is a succession of clear 

 tones, peculiarly liquid for the notes of a hawk. The 

 principal food of the Goshawk in these barrancas was 

 lizards, which it snatched up with most marvellous 

 skill. The unfortunate saurian would see its fate com- 

 ing and flash by so swiftly that to our eyes it passed 

 as a streak of brown or green. But the hawk's judg- 

 ment is exact. The lizard is sw4ft, the hawk is swdfter, 

 and unless a thick tangle is near, into which the rep- 

 tile can hurl itself, the meeting of the acute angle of 

 its flight and the bird's descent is as certain as fate. 



BIRDS OF THE DAWN 



As I have said, the Black Hawks came about our 

 camp in the afternoon and were active until late in the 

 evening. Hours after darkness had closed down, we 

 heard their screams as they passed overhead. But they 

 were awake and aw^ay long before daylight, and dur- 

 ing the whole morning small birds seemed more at 

 their ease, owing to the absence of birds of prey. Al- 

 though Ave were at an altitude of about 4000 feet, 

 tropical nature was by no means absent. After the 

 chill of nightfall had passed, birds appeared Avhich w^e 

 had long; looked forw^ard to seeino*. 



The beautiful little wren-sprites of the harranca 

 were the first to waken and sing, and we hardly recog- 

 nized in them the Mexican Canyon Wrens of the house- 



«4 140 -^ ■• 



