Local Natural History 



Once, it chanced, they came to shine 

 Straight into this heart of mine. 



Little lady, cease your play 

 For a moment, if you may; 

 All I ask is, silently, 

 Turn your mother's eyes on me! 



Consulado Ingles, Calle de las Olas Altas, Mazatlan, Sinaloa 

 January 10, 1895 



While in Mazatlan, we had the excellent services 

 of a mestizo (halfbreed) fisherman, Ygnacio Moreno 

 by name. About the outlying islands, the Venados 

 especially, as well as in the hulk of a French man- 

 of-war sunk long since in the harbor by a hurricane, 

 Ygnacio exploded dynamite with rich results. I 

 must here explain that while the use of dynamite is 

 wisely forbidden to fishermen in all civilized regions, 

 a special license for scientific purposes was granted 

 us by the local authorities. 



One day as we were drawing a seine on the beach, Our 

 i'dlers crowded around and began to grab the fish. g c ", ngo , 

 Tom Williams, red-headed, muscular football center, 

 seized a young fellow by the shoulders and swung 

 him about in every direction, thus effectually dis- 

 persing the mob. From that time forward, hangers- 

 on had a wholesome fear of our gringo Colorado, 

 "red Yankee/' 



On the tide flats beyond the Astillero (estuary) A 

 gathered a marvelous array of birds long-legged par , ad r i sf 

 waders, herons and cranes, and swimmers such as 

 pelicans, cormorants, gulls, and ducks, besides high- 

 flying Tropic-birds and Frigates. In the market 

 several varieties of parrots were on sale. The 

 finest one we saw, "Loro Bonito," introduced in 



C 533 3 



