MOUNTAIN BIRDS. 139 



bably few Europeans, at least few who could at all 

 appreciate their beauty, had ever trodden them, were 

 pleasant accessories ; not to mention the delightful 

 coohiess of a temperature which, perhaps, never ex- 

 ceeds 70°, after the oppressing heat of the lowlands. 

 I used frequently to set out two hours before dawn, 

 and ride leisurely up, by the light of the moon or 

 of the twinkling, quivering stars, listening to the rich 

 melodies poured forth by dozens of Mocking birds 

 from the fruit trees and groves of the lower hills, and 

 arrive at the mountain-brow about sunrise. There I 

 would leave my horse, and, throwing the bridle over 

 his neck, allow him to graze on a little open pasture 

 until my return, while I pursued on foot the track 

 which I have been describing. Here I often spent 

 many hours at a time, engaged in collecting speci- 

 mens of zoology and botany, in making observations, 

 or in calmly drinking-in the quiet enjoyment that 

 the scene afforded. Very few birds occur in this 

 region ; but such as are found are of peculiar interest. 

 The wary Jabbering Crow [Corvus Jamaicensis) gives 

 utterance to his strange, uncouth articulations, as he 

 calls to his fellow from the topmost branches of the 

 very loftiest trees, or sails along, on labouring wing, 

 from one such post of observation to another, taking 

 good care to keep out of harm's way. This, too, is 

 the region of the Solitaire {Ptilogonys armillatus) ; 

 that mysterious recluse, whose rich flute-like tones 

 fall slowly upon the ravished ear, like the measured 

 notes of a psalm. One, and another, and another, 

 take up the strain, till the mellow notes come one by 

 one from all parts of the dark surrounding woods, 



