:::::::::*? T^YO BIRD -LOVERS IN MEXICO B--"" 



factorily. The average Mexican is willing- to tell what 

 he knows, but this is almost nil concerning the coun- 

 try, even about his own home, while five miles away is 

 to him a terra incognita. 



When we were almost in despair as to which direc- 

 tion to turn. Providence sent along a hand-car, which 

 we flagged. After a little tactful display of red-sealed 

 official papers, we obtained permission to take our guns 

 and cameras and board the little platform. Our Mexi- 

 can was to follow later with the baggage. All Avas down 

 grade and we gradually attained a momentum which 

 made us gasp for breath. On and on we went, whiz- 

 zing around sharp curves and bumping over the uneven 

 rails. The adobe huts soon disappeared and the wilder- 

 ness crept up to the very edge of the track. Once we 

 dashed straight through a covey of Scaled Quail which 

 rose from the track, the birds not having time to fly 

 to one side. 



At last the brake was applied and we came to a stop 

 near a narrow opening in the jungle. Leaving a signal 

 guide for our Mexican, we set out on foot. For two 

 miles we followed this trail which ended at an isolated 

 hacienda. 



A TROPICAL CAMP 



The letters of introduction Avhich we carried opened 

 the heart of the overseer and his family, and his 

 disappointment was sincere when he learned that we 



«^ 266 ^ 



