4.16 Henry Durnford’s last 
ague. The principal cause of it is the quantity of stagnant 
water in the neighbourhood ; but the sudden changes of tem- 
perature, which cause chills, must undoubtedly also have 
something to do with it. 
May 20. To-day Ihave seen Dr. Brulant and Sefor San- 
tillan, to whom I had letters of introduction. With the 
advice of the latter, I have made up my mind to hire four 
mules, two for baggage, one for a peon, and one for myself, 
He says it will be much cheaper than buying them. 
Tucuman is situated on low land; the Sierras are within 
five miles of the town, and run about N. and 8S. The second 
range of Sierras seems about twice as high as the first, and the 
tops seem generally in the clouds. The first range is about 
2000 feet high. 
May 21. I have not yet been able to procure mules, and 
am waiting while Sr. Santillan is making inquiries &c. for 
me. I have engaged a peon, Andrada by name, at 15 dollars 
per month, and I also find him his food. He is a “ Tucu- 
mano,” and appears a rough-looking fellow ; I hope he may 
turn out well. 
May 22-23. Patience. Still waiting for the mules. In 
this country it is no use being in a hurry. It is now the 
beginning of winter here, and the thermometer in the patio 
of the hotel at night averages about 60° Fahr. 
May 24. Ihave been out shooting for an hour this morn- 
ing close to Tucuman, and found the following Buenos-Ayres 
birds:—common, Troglodytes furvus, Vanellus cayennensis, 
Saurophagus sulphuratus, Ardea cocoi, Zonotrichia pileata, 
Pholeoptynx cunicularia, Furnarius rufus, Polyborus vulgaris, 
Molothrus bonariensis, Milvago chimango ; rare, Coccygus 
melanocoryphus, Guira piririgua, in parties of three or four ; 
and I also shot and skinned a small Tyrant-bird, not uncom- 
mon, flies like a Woodpecker. Finch, reddish underneath, 
with a very stout beak; two seen. Mimus of some kind com- 
mon, and a very small insect-eater; two seen. 
I found some clear-winged butterflies pretty common, also 
the peacock-butterfly and painted lady common, and the 
white butterfly of Buenos Ayres abundant. 
