LIFE IN THE GUIANA WILDS 191 



seven inches, while only nineteen inches fell at Tumatumari 

 in the same period of time. One result of the great amount of 

 moisture is that there is an increase in density of the lower 

 growth, and the branches are covered with hanging moss. 



As one moves quietly along the narrow lanes, enclosed 

 on both sides by walls of trees, the lofty tops of which form 

 a leafy vault overhead, he cannot fail to be impressed with 

 the great breathless silence of the forest. The gloomy soli- 

 tude seems pregnant with mysterious forces that draw the 

 thoughts of the lonely wayfarer to far-off regions of blissful 

 oblivion. Then, suddenly, a low, wailing cry of anguish 

 rising in tremulous crescendo, but with liquid smoothness, 

 smites the wanderer's revery and brings him back to earth 

 with palpitating heart and throbbing pulses; the whinny 

 rapidly decreases in volume and dies with a few short sighs. 

 "Something, perhaps the combination of all these, makes 

 one feel as if he had been caught with his soul naked in his 

 hands; when, in the midst of subdued and chastened revery , 

 this spirit voice takes the words from his tongue and ex- 

 presses so perfectly all the mystery, romance, and tragedy 

 that the struggling, parasite-ridden forest diffuses through 

 the damp shade." It is the voice of the forest tinamou. 



The notes of several species of ant-thrush (Grallaria and 

 Chamceza) are remarkable for their quality and even beauty. 

 One of them has a peculiar call resembling the words compra 

 pan (buy bread), and by this name it is known among the 

 natives of Colombia. Another gives a very good imitation 

 of a moon whistle, the song lasting fifty seconds at times, 

 without the slightest intermission. These birds are very 

 long-legged, almost tailless, and obscurely colored above; 

 the breast is frequently streaked. They spend their entire 

 lives in the damp gloom of the forest floor, and although 

 the song may come from but a few feet away, it is impos- 

 sible to get even the briefest glimpse of the bird in ninety- 

 five per cent of the cases where it is heard. 



If we stopped to rest on the buttressed roots of some 

 great cottonwood, we saw a few of the minor creatures whose 



