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



work of the elements. Red-barred tiger beetles flew 

 and scampered about, grotesque toad-hoppers made 

 flying leaps from the nearest trees to the water. 



These and many other insects had their favourite 

 hour at the Magic Pools, and when the afternoon Avaned 

 their place was taken by ever-changing hosts of other 

 thirsty ones. When the great shadow leaped the brook 

 and began to climb the opposite slope, the wood-sprites 

 descended from the sweet-flowered acacias. First, those 

 which, in habit like Catocala Moths, loved the trunks 

 of rough-barked trees. Very different from the giant 

 Yellows, they always kept their wings spread. Their 

 life-secret, which must ever be hid from the eyes of 

 the world, is the light gray splashing of their under 

 wings. To show this were to court death quickly. So 

 with low-curved wings they sailed in an even slope to 

 the mud, upon which they flattened their lichen-hued 

 pinions. When their thirst was quenched there was no 

 dallying. With three or four quick flaps they hurled 

 themselves at the trunk of the nearest fig-tree and van- 

 ished. During this swift return flight, at each move- 

 ment of the wings, a sharp crackling sound was made. 



Verily instinct is not a thing at which to scoff. 

 Here was a fragile insect just hatched from its inert 

 chrysalis. It saw other butterflies fluttering slowly 

 past, alighting at the edge of the water and waving 

 their wdngs in enjoyment of the cooling drink. Why 

 should it not do likewise ? Why should it, unlike them, 



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