:•""-••:*; TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO W^^^ 



birds. Some instinct warned, and a despairing cry 

 arose from the flock, as they perceived the black 

 death ahriost upon them. Tlie hawk's cruel talons 

 were outstretched, half bent to clutch. Every gray 

 body tumbled off the spit of sand, and disap^jeared 

 beneath the surface of the water, while the hawk 

 checked his descent with a single wing-beat Avhieh 

 splashed the stream and then curved sharply upward 

 to a dead tree. When the ripples passed, the little 

 frightened 'pipers were seen speeding downstream, 

 with heads held low, wings half raised, running along 

 the bottom. Soon they were lost to view through the 

 water, and yards below, whei'e the stream shallowed 

 to rapids, five limp forms burst forth and flew close to 

 the surface around the turn. We were glad to see the 

 sandpipers make their escape, such command of ex- 

 pedient deserving nothing less. 



The hawk was joined by its mate, and both flew 

 to a tree immediately opposite the camp, in the top 

 of which was a rough nest of sticks. During the day 

 these birds were aAvay, perhaps hunting, but late in 

 the afternoon they invariably returned, showing no 

 fear of us or of our camp-fire. At such times they 

 flew aimlessly about, or both birds joined in adding 

 more sticks to their nest, close to which they roosted 

 at night. This desultory nest-building was continued 

 throughout our stay, but no eggs were laid. Once or 

 twice the hawks dashed at a pile of conglomerate rock 

 <4. 136 ^ 



