436 MR, A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [June 19, 



light drizzling rain, which generally lasted from two to four days, 

 and with increasing cold, until the thermometer is said to have 

 fallen at one time to 61° Fahr. In January 1879 there were four 

 moderately heavy rainfalls, with strong northers and cold nights. 

 One very heavy rainfall occurred on February 23rd, with a consider- 

 able sprinkling of hail. The hailstones were quickly gathered up 

 and placed in bottles in Izamal by many persons, who thought they 

 could be saved. There were five northers, each of which brought 

 light rain. From February 26th to jNIay 23rd no rain fell, and 

 often the sky was entirely clear for weeks at a time, and in fact 

 rarely was a cloud to be seen. The heat in the day gradually 

 increased, until it was almost intolerable in April and May. On 

 account of the dry air and clear sky the radiation was so great that 

 the nights often became disagreeably cool, though generally most 

 delightfully pleasant and balmy. The birds disappeared as the dry 

 season advanced, except a few of the common resident species, which 

 lived about the ranchos and at the aguadas, where water was to be 

 found. On the 23rd of May the first of the summer rains occurred, 

 which was soon followed by daily showers at midday. All nature 

 changed as if by magic ; new leaves grew, and the forests were again 

 populated with sweet songsters, which gave life and joy to every 

 thing. In June the rains began at 11 a.m. and ceased at 2 p.m., 

 rarely beginning earlier or continuing later. In July they began at 

 10 A.M. and lasted until 3 or 4 p.m., but never earlier. In August 

 they began at 10 a.m. and lasted until nightfall, and sometimes 

 later. During these three months there were from five to eight 

 days in each month upon which no rain fell. The heat was almost 

 insupportable even for the natives. Yellow fever raged in most of 

 the interior towns. In September the rains began at 8 or 9 a.m., 

 and often lasted until midnight, and not unfrequcntly all night. 

 The weather became milder. Insects became exceedingly scarce, 

 and the birds were not fit to skin. Reptiles were about the only 

 things to be found. ]\Iollusks are exceedingly rare in Yucatan : not 

 one species can be said to be common. During the first twenty- 

 seven days of October 1879 rain in torrents fell almost incessantly. 

 The sun was seen on four days, and the stars appeared in patches on 

 five nights. Not five consecutive hours passed during the twenty- 

 seven days without rain. Yellow fever gave place to intermittent 

 and bilious fevers. Insects were rarely seen, and the hirds again 

 almost entirely disappeared. The rains seem now to have ceased as 

 they began ; whether the rainy season is over remains to be seen. 

 On account of the heavy rains or other cause, the birds which are 

 here now are worthless for skins, as the feathers are not yet grown. 

 Meleagris ocellata will probably have its full plumage by December, 

 and will continue in good plumage until June." 



The chief localities in which birds were collected by Mr. Gaumer 

 are as follows : — 



*' (1) Progreso is the port of Merida, situated on the north coast, 

 six leagues to the east of the old port of Sisal. The country is low and 

 marshy for nearly two leagues inland ; and in times of the northers 

 the greater part of this distance is inundated by the rise of the 



