238



A Guachciro Cave.



birds would peer down at us with great frightened eyes, reflect¬

ing the distant gleam of day in bright pin-points of light.


Being very anxious to examine their nests at closer quarters,

I tried to induce my negro companion to lead the way up the

precipitous wall of the cavern. This, after some demur, he

presently undertook, having first procured a strong bamboo cane

from the boat outside. The task was by no means easy and the

fellow had to advance with extreme caution, making his way, bit

by bit, into the darkness of the roof, where the frantic crowd of

birds still criss-crossed, screaming now with increased fear. I

followed as well as I could, but my toes were not so prehensile

as those of my black companion, nor had I such muscular

fingers wherewith to retain my grip, and it was only after much

trepidation that I was able to gain the comparative safety of

the narrow cornice that we sought. On examination, we found

the nests to be slightly raised platforms, constructed of some

clay-like material, a shallow concavity being formed to receive

the eggs. On all sides the rocks were strewn with a dark

brown deposit. In appearance this deposit exactly resembled

the substance known as “moss litter” among horse-owners,

which is really broken up peat-moss, used as bedding for horses

and cattle.


Being, of course, naked, the cavern soon began to feel chilly,

and presently I desired to return to my clothes. But this was

easier said than done. If it had been difficult to get up, it was

trebly so to get down, and the more I looked the less I liked the

prospect. Certainly, there was a little water below to break our fall,

should we lose our hold—(without it we would never have attempt¬

ed the climb)—but a slip nevertheless meant an ugly tumble that

would have probably ended in a very serious accident. Going

first, I had the advantage of the bamboo, which the man held

downwards to assist my descent and by its help, I managed to

pass the most awkward point and finally reach the bottom in

safety. But how was my companion to get down unaided ? In

truth, I liked the prospects in store for him but little, and I could

see, by the anxious face that peered over the ledge, that my

fears were more than shared by the negro. His features were

distraught and terrified and I am sure he never felt so like a



