:::::::::^x TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO ;*'•""-" 



Here came the brilliant tanagers — neither the Louisi- 

 ana nor the Hepatic nor the Cooper, which we had 

 expected to find, but the same Summer Tanager whose 

 flaming red form is so connnon in that place so be- 

 loved of birds, — and some of us, — an old-fashioned 

 Virginia garden. In the cool pools, a quartet of these 

 birds — two scarlet, two green — splashed and fluttered 

 each morning. The green-garbed females then led the 

 way to some high, sunlit tree where each feather was 

 preened and dried and the living spots of flame, from 

 very joy of life, gave utterance to their liquid double 

 notes. 



Sometimes the Mexican Pileated Woodpeckers de- 

 serted their wild figs and came in great swinging loops 

 of red, white, and black for a brief drink at these magic 

 pools. Never before had I seen a member of this 

 sturdy race of woodpeckers on the ground. How they 

 do pound the sounding-boards which they find ready 

 to hand, fashioned by the lightning and seasoned by 

 the weather ! Their heads vibrate until their scarlet 

 head-plumes become a ruddy blur, and the reverber- 

 ating roll comes clear and crisp. Their notes are 

 loud and varied, and when suspicious of danger, their 

 calls are like the excited scolding of Red Squirrels — 

 though much louder. They delight to swing on the 

 slender, uplifted arms of the organ cactus, leaning 

 far back from their firm support of feet and stiff tail- 

 feathers. 



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