Nov., 1908 A MONTH'S BIRD-COLLECTING IN VENEZUELA 229 



of tree ducks circle over the lake Uttering their shrill call "chiriri", from which 

 the bird gets its native name. The wooded shores of the lake teem with land- 

 birds and altogether this locality is an ornithologist's paradise. 



Our first visit to the lake was marked by a cruise in the Captain's boat, and the 

 day spent on the lake was one of incessant interest. Birds of many kinds were 

 passing within gun shot of the boat almost continually, and occasionally we 

 brought one down, but the Captain's kindness led us to use great restraint, for no 

 sooner did a bird strike the water than he stopped the engine and had a boat 

 lowered to retrieve the bird. The Everglade Kite, another friend from home, was 

 common here, and the Snowy Heron {Eg7'etta candidissinid) and a large heron — 

 at a distance an exact counterpart of our Ardea herodias — lent a familiar aspect 

 where nearly all was strange and new. Graceful terns, pearl gray with black- 

 tipped wings, were in sight most of the time. Occasionally a handsome large king- 

 fisher {Ceryle torquatiis) skimmed close to the water's edge while flying from one 

 perch to another, and dainty little black flycatchers with white heads, occurred in 

 abundance among the reeds at the water's edge. Crocodiles were everywhere, and 

 one Dr. Dearborn secured with a well-aimed bullet from his three-barrelled gun. 



Our most notable experience on I^ake Valencia was our water-hog, capybara 

 or "chiguiri" hunt. The latter term is the one used by the natives to designate 

 this huge rodent. This animal might be called an immense musk-rat the size of a 

 sheep. Its terribly long incisors are one of its most striking characters. They are 

 as long as one's fingers, sharp as chisels, and their fearful work was seen in the 

 way they lacerated the dogs used in hunting them. The breast of one dog and the 

 head of another were laid open in a most shocking manner by capybaras which 

 were brought to bay by their pursuers. The animals have wide palmate feet and 

 toes which serve them as well in swimming as in walking on land. For the native's 

 zeal in joining our hunt we had a local custom to thank. The padres allow the 

 flesh of these animals to be eaten during Holy week — the time we were there — 

 because these quadrupeds spend much of their time in the water, and thus partly 

 partake of the nature of fishes. A party of five excellent gentlemen from Caracas, 

 Englishmen and Americans, were here for a hunting trip and they kindly included 

 us in the water-hog hunt which was carried on as follows: 



The party, increased to twenty or twenty-five by the addition of native hunters, 

 divided into two parts, one taking the boats and keeping close to the outer edge of 

 the rushes, the other going afoot on land. Four natives, stripped and carrying 

 their long, sharp knives or machetes, entered the rushes with a troop of hound-like 

 dogs. After a seemingly long wait, there was suddenly a furious yelling of men 

 and barking of dogs. A violent swaying of the rushes showed the quarry was 

 making for the lake, and in an instant more a huge tawny animal made a tremen- 

 dous spring, clearing the rushes and striking the water with a great splash. With 

 head just out of water it began a rapid swimming toward the open water. Every 

 boat gave chase, and excitement became intense. With apparently little effect 

 upon the animal, shot after shot was fired at its gliding form, from old muzzle- 

 loader, modern shot-gun, rifle and revolver. After each fusillade the hard-pressed 

 beast would dive, appearing often a long distance away. Again the boats would 

 draw near and another volley would be fired. At last weakened by its need of air, 

 and by many wounds, the luckless water-hog was nearly helpless and from a boat 

 at its very side, a well-placed shot would finally end its gallant fight for life. Some 

 eight or nine specimens were secured during the morning by the party in boats. 

 The land party did not get a shot at a single animal. One of the best specimens 



