438 MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [Juiie 19, 



four leagues south of Calotmul, on the border of the largest forest- 

 trees yet seen in Yucatan. The forests are open and quite pene- 

 trable. (11) Chem Jonat is a new rancho, three leagues further in 

 this forest ; there the collections of August, September, and October 

 were made. The incessant rains and immense floods of water of 

 September and October rendered collecting an utter impossi- 

 bility ; besides the persistent and almost universal intermittent and 

 pernicious fevers made it extremely hazardous to expose one's 

 self to the inclemencies of the weather. The Aguadas are deep 

 excavations in the earth, which are filled with water never very 

 deep. These are said to be natural; but I am of opinion that 

 many of them are artificial, or at least reconstructed by the ancient 

 Maya races. They are of various sizes, but average from fifty to 

 one hundred yards square (or nearly square). The general shape is 

 circular, though I think there is sufficient evidence for believing 

 that they were originally quadrilateral in shape. However that may 

 be, the important point is, that these aguadas, which are abundant 

 in Yucatan, are filled with fresh water all the year. The approach 

 is generally easy for all animals, the sides being inclined. In the dry 

 season immense numbers of land-birds and animals go to these 

 aguadas to drink. Birds and animals of prey find there an 

 abundance of food ; and the hunter generally fills his game-bag with 

 choice game in a short time, while the naturalist is generally re- 

 warded by the finding of something good. The Jonat {tsco-not) or 

 Senate is a deep circular opening in the earth, with perpendicular 

 walls of limestone, generally about sixty feet high (in the region of 

 Tizimin, and shallower towards the coast). These are of all sizes 

 and shapes, and are filled with clear, fresh, and cool water. The 

 senote is of unJinown depth, and believed by the natives to be 

 openings to great underground rivers. There is generally no ap- 

 proach except down the stony walls. The senote is often in an 

 immense underground cave with but a narrow mouth. At the 

 water's edge there is no place to rest, nor visible object in the deep 

 clear waters. When open, large numbers of small birds go to 

 the senote to drink, and especially Finches. The Vultures often 

 build their nests in the rocky walls, also Owls and other similar 

 birds. When closed, or partly closed, or cave-like, the cave over 

 the senote is populated with Swallows, Owls, Bats, and Motmots. 

 Reptiles &c. are also said to abound, sometimes in immense numbers. 

 In the water of every senote that I have ever seen there is at least 

 one species of fish belonging to the Siluroids. These fishes are very 

 abundant, hundreds sometimes being visible at one time. In nearly 

 all of the open and shallow seuotes nearer the coast there is said to exist 

 another species belonging to the scaly tribe. I have seen examples 

 of this latter species but twice, and when I was utterly unprepared 

 to capture and preserve them. This general distribution of the 

 Siluroid fishes, and some experiments whicJi I have made, prove con- 

 clusively, to my mind, that the theory of underground rivers in 

 Yucatan is an undoubted fact. The surface-water is all swallowed 

 up by these senotes and by the ever thirsty land. There are no rivers 



