360 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



pended under the thatched rpofs of houses, often in the 

 midst of a colony of swallows (Atticora). Tinamou were 

 not uncommon in the dry ravines and provided a welcome 

 change from the goat-flesh which is the staple meat of the 

 people and the only kind we could purchase; the latter 

 animals were killed when very young (about the size of a 

 cat), and we could never become enthusiastic over this, 

 locally considered, great delicacy. 



In a region such as the country around Pulque, there are 

 few available nesting-sites, and nests are very conspicuous 

 objects when placed in a cactus or thorny bush; however, 

 the sharp thorns and spines with which they are surrounded 

 protect them, alike from predatory animals and humans. 

 The disused mud nests of oven-birds are collected as needed 

 and made into a poultice that is supposed to cure stomach- 

 ache. Judging by the quantity they gathered, this ailment 

 must be of frequent occurrence. A bird of the wood-hewer 

 family (Upucerthia) excavated burrows in banks and de- 

 posited two white eggs in a small, feather-lined nest placed 

 in a roomy chamber at the end of the tunnel. 



The sefiora at whose rancho we stopped complained that 

 tiger-cats were killing her chickens; so one afternoon I set 

 a steel trap at the base of a near-by stone wall, baiting it 

 with a dead bird. I had not gone a dozen paces from the 

 spot when the trap sprung with a loud twang, securely im- 

 prisoning the much-sought culprit. The cat's greed had 

 overcome its discretion, at which we rejoiced, for it made 

 a desirable addition to our collection. On another occasion 

 one of these beautiful animals bounded out from under 

 the roots of a huge tree and seized a bird as I was stooping 

 to pick it up — and made a clean getaway to its hiding- 

 place with the spoils. 



Our hosts on the Cachimayo were awaiting us, in order 

 that we might be present at the ushering in of the "month 

 of baths," as December is called in this part of Bolivia. 

 Whether or not they thought we were in need of the daily 

 ablutions, I am unable to say; but this I do know, that we 



