Il8 Nelson, Witk Bob-zvhite in Mexico. \ k^A 



and-Yellow Macaws, several species of Parrots and other tropical 

 birds aboLind, and a little farther south troops of spider monkeys 

 are encountered. In many places it is but a few steps from the 

 dense shade of the bottoms, where the harsh screams of the 

 Macaws dominate all other woodland notes, to the borders of 

 grassy prairies where our friends pass their sedate lives associated 

 with Meadowlarks and Sparrows. Throughout this region where 

 deer, peccaries, Tree Pheasants and other game is plentiful, 

 smaller birds are considered unworthy of powder and shot, all of 

 which conduces greatly to peace of mind among the Bob-whites. 

 While traveling down the coast from Tehuantepec into Chiapas 

 we found them numerous most of the way, and they were a 

 constant source of interest and pleasure. Their cheerful notes 

 were frequently heard from the scrubby bushes near the trail, 

 and the neat, trimly built little fellows carried on their small 

 affairs with little regard for our presence. While riding at the 

 head of the pack train I frequently found them scratching in the 

 sandy trails, dusting themselves or searching for food. At such 

 times it was amusing to note the pretty air of doubt and hesitation 

 with which they awaited my approach before finally moving 

 rather deliberately a few yards to one side, when I came too near. 

 Now and then the male could be heard uttering little querulous 

 notes as if in subdued protest at being disturbed. After entering 

 Chiapas, the coast was left behind and we passed into the interior 

 through a series of beautiful open valleys ornamented with scat- 

 tered bushes and belts of trees. It" was during the rainy season 

 and the vegetation was growing luxuriantly ; everywhere were 

 myriads of flowers, and the innumerable plume-like heads of tall 

 grasses nodded gracefully in the passing breezes. In these 

 valleys the Bob-whites were very common. It generally rained 

 during the night, but the clouds broke away at dawn leaving a 

 brilliantly clear sky. We were up and on our way at sunrise, 

 amid the invigorating freshness of early morning, when every leaf 

 and twig bore a pendant water-drop that sent out quivering rays 

 of light with the first touch of the sun. On every hand were new 

 flowers and strange birds. Now and then the Central American 

 Mockingbird, in full-throated ecstacy, poured out its rich song, 

 and over it all, at short intervals, the clear call of ' Bob White ' 



