:::::::::*? TWO BIRD-LOVERS IN MEXICO B-""" 



the under parts is bright sulphur yellow ; the back 

 is brownish, and the large head is marked with black 

 and white, with a crown of bright yellow and orange. 

 At this place we had no opportunity of studying them 

 at close range, but I mention the bird because of a 

 peculiar habit which one individual displayed, namely, 

 the art of fishing. This particular Derby was the only 

 one of its species which frequented our camp, and here 

 the solitary bird spent much of each morning, unmo- 

 lested by the kingfishers, and all but equalling them 

 in their own trade. Like the kingfishers, the Derby 

 perched upon a rock and watched the eddies, and then 

 dived with all his might two or three times in succes- 

 sion, each time securing a small fish, or sometimes a 

 tadpole. It seemed impossible for him to immerse him- 

 self more than three consecutive times, for his plumage 

 became water-soaked, and he then flew heavily to a 

 sun-lit branch to sjjread himself to the sun. After dry- 

 ing he was at it again. It would be interesting to know 

 if, when a bird of such unusual habits mates and raises 

 a brood of young, this knowledge would in any way 

 be imparted to its offspring. 



Everywhere in the cliffs above us were caves, some 

 large, and many small, and toward evening, or in fact 

 at any time, by careful watching, the tenants of these 

 rocky shelters might be detected. Immediately about 

 camp four or five species of lizards were common, all 

 small — from two to six inches in length. These liz- 



«4 156 ^ 



