::::::::»x TWO BIRD -LOVERS IN MEXICO B-"'-"" 



at the upward fling. A most remarkable performance 

 it is and well calculated to impress an enemy with the 

 formidable character of the creature. In reality the 

 Iguana is singularly defenceless, and these terrifying 

 actions are pure "bluff." The upcurved pinions of 

 the vulture swing outward, and the bird floats evenly 

 across the abyss to the opposite cliff. The Iguana 

 seems to realize the harmless nature of the bird of 

 carrion since, at the approach of a hawk, the reptile 

 turns and scrambles, with all speed, headlong into its 

 hole. 



When the midday heat had driven most creatures 

 to shade or hole, the Iguanas slept peacefully on the 

 heated rocks. They feed on almost any kind of veg- 

 etable food, — roots, bark, or leaves. We found the 

 flesh of these creatures delicious. " Dlos mio ! Esta es 

 veneno ! " exclaimed our Mexican when we brought in 

 a large Iguana and asked that it be cooked for supper. 

 We explained that it was not poison, and in fact we 

 found it sweet and delicate, the meat being as tender 

 and white as chicken, and very similar in taste to frogs' 

 legs. After that the Iguana appeared as a regular item 

 on our bill of fare. These great lizards are said to 

 grow to a length of six feet, but all which we saw 

 were under five. Their eggs are long and yellowish 

 white in colour. They lay about fifty during the early 

 spring. 



Immediately opposite our camp was a large, irregu- 



«4 160 ■&> 



