NOTES ON HOATZINS 



173 



Photo by W. B. 



FIG. 43. NEST AND TWO EGGS OF THE HOATZIN. 



ened and the nestling hoatzin found its retreat to the upper 

 branches cut off, without hesitation it dived into the water 

 below. But when I alarmed the young birds of these two 

 nests, the youngsters all but dislocated their necks by diving 

 headlong into the soft mud. One fairly stuck, legs in air, 

 head down in a crab's hole for a few seconds. They then 

 wriggled free and in frantic haste scrambled and slithered 

 on all fours and belly to the edge of the water. The pitiful, 

 whole-hearted trust, instinctive though it was, which they 

 placed in their parents' judgment was most interesting. 



These birds of two weeks were in excellent condition 

 for showing to the best advantage their famous ability of 

 quadrumanual climbing and skillful diving and swimming. 



One point interested me keenly. When the wings of 

 the nestling were closed, the claws of the thumb and fore- 



