:::::::::*? TWO bird-lovers in Mexico B^"--- 



Every native is an innate lover of music. The 

 Spanish melodies of the skilful musicians touch one of 

 the deepest chords in the hearts of the Mexicans, and 

 arouse in the usually stolid faces an enjoyment and 

 appreciation which makes them seem a different race 

 of people. 



A sudden realization of the two-sided Mexican char- 

 acter comes to us. No matter how one's patience has 

 been tried by diurnal barteriugs and mananas, or one's 

 sense offended by unpleasant visions, one is glad to 

 have the chance to mingle with the Mexicans in the 

 evening, and to revel in their music. 



This is the ideal side of their life. If the feeling 

 and inspiration of the evening could be spread out to 

 cover their whole existence, the average low type of 

 Mexican would soon rise to higher things ; other and 

 better desires would fill his heart than cock-pits and 

 bull-fights, gambling, and the terrible tequila. What 

 else can bring about such a change, who can tell ! 

 Quien sdbe ! 



Next morning, when the stars began to dim in the 

 east, we w^ere up and ready to start on the trail. A new 

 side of the Mexican character was revealed before we 

 mounted. Our Mexican boy had had a bundle of cloth- 

 ing stolen and a straw sombrero, and, curiously enough, 

 the thief replaced the latter with a more valuable 

 headgear. 



Thus far we had not suffered from the proverbial 



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