102 JUNGLE PEACE 



the fields, when a wide expanse of water blocked 

 our way, and we drew up at the bank of the 

 Berbice River. 



In the course of five days at New Amster- 

 dam we achieved our object. We found hoat- 

 zins, their nests, eggs, and young, and perpetu- 

 ated in photographs their wonderful habits 

 handed down through all the ages past, from 

 the time when reptiles were the dominant be- 

 ings, and birds and mammals crept about, 

 understudying their role to come, as yet uncer- 

 tain of themselves and their heritage. When 

 we needed it the sun broke through the rain and 

 shone brightly; when our lenses were ready, the 

 baby hoatzins ran the gamut of their achieve- 

 ments. They crept on all fours, they climbed 

 with fingers and toes, they dived headlong, and 

 swam as skilfully as any Hesperornis of old. 

 This was, and I think always will be, to me, 

 the most wonderful sight in the world. To see 

 a tiny living bird duplicate within a few minutes 

 the processes which, evolved slowly through un- 

 counted years, have at last culminated in the 

 world of birds as we find it today this is im- 

 pressive beyond words. No poem, no picture, 

 no terrible danger, no sight of men killed or 



