CHAPTEE VIII. 



A vulture's feast— DEAGON's blood— a COEAL serpent — THE OWL 



MEXICAN MOLES — TOUCANS — THE SCOLOPACIDiE — L'ENCUEEADO 

 TURNED TAILOR — SUNSET. 



' A7i5-^ ^^^^ °^^ bivouac at day -break, first ascending and then 



mfii descending, sometimes making our way through thickets 

 and other times through glades; suddenly, a flock of 

 vultures attracted our attention. A hideous spectacle was now 

 presented to our eyes. A coyote — doubtless that which I'Encue- 

 rado had wounded the day before — lay half devoured on the 

 ground, and more than fifty guests were coming in turn for their 

 share, and to tear, in turn, a strip of flesh from the carcase. 



" What frightful creatures ! " cried Lucien. " I can't think 

 why the nasty smell does not drive them away." 



" It is just the reverse ; it is the smell which attracts them," 

 I replied, 'Even when they are soaring high up in the sky. 



