HOATZINS AT HOME 127 



be considered as forming the principal environ- 

 ment, two blooms were conspicuous at this sea- 

 son; a deep-calyxed, round blossom of rich 

 yellow, — an hibiscus, which the Indians called 

 makoe, and from the bark of which they made 

 most excellent rope. The other flower was a 

 vine which crept commonly up over the pimpler 

 trees, regardless of water and thorns, and hung 

 out twin blossoms in profusion, pink and pinkish- 

 white, trumpet-shaped, with flaring lips. 



The mid-day life about this haunt of hoatzins 

 was full of interest. Tody-flycatchers of two 

 species, yellow-breasted and streaked, were the 

 commonest birds, and their little homes, like bits 

 of tide-hung drift, swayed from the tips of the 

 pimpler branches. They dashed to and fro re- 

 gardless of the heat, and whenever we stopped 

 they came within a foot or two, curiously watch- 

 ing our every motion. Kiskadees hopped along 

 the water's edge in the shade, snatching insects 

 and occasionally splashing into the water after 

 small fish. Awkward' Guinea green herons, not 

 long out of the nest, crept like shadow silhou- 

 ettes of birds close to the dark water. High 

 overhead, like flecks of jet against the blue sky, 

 the vultures soared. Green dragonflies whirled 



