:::::::::^f TWO BIRD -LOVERS IN MEXICO B-""-: 



Each step took us higher, nearer the volcano. The 

 singing sparrows gave place to Western Blue Gros- 

 beaks and Varied Buntings, the male birds reflecting 

 tints of blue and purple, their mates feathered in dull 

 leaf-brown. The latter species occasionally uttered a 

 rather sweet but simple song. 



In some places the trail was level and straight for 

 miles, and on the bordering stone walls great Iguanas 

 sunned themselves, or crawled lazily up among the 

 bushes. We could look ahead and count fifty or more 

 of these black saui'ians at once. Their curiosity held 

 them still for a moment, even after we came abreast 

 of them, and I amused myself trying to photograph 

 them with a kodak. I would set the shutter and fix 

 the focus for about eight feet, and then trot past 

 on the opposite side of the trail. Turning suddenly, 

 I would spur the horse, with one or two great leaps, 

 straight up to the lizard, point the camera at him, and, 

 if I was lucky, take a picture. If I was a fraction of 

 a second too slow in getting my balance, my film 

 would record only the mane of my horse, a bit of 

 cloud, or a pile of stones. One soon gets, instinctively, 

 the knack of levelling a camera, just as, after long 

 practice, a man learns to shoot a revolver accurately 

 from his hip. 



Just as the heat began to grow oppressive, we 

 reached Tonila, and engaged a room, intending to 

 finish our journey next day. But after resting a few 



<i- 350 ^ 



