A YO UXG NA TURA LIST. 179 



we longed to find a spring. Being unable to get a clear view of 

 the horizon, I directed I'Encuerado to climb to the summit of a lofty 

 tree. The Indian ascended to its topmost branch, and having 

 surveyed the prospect in every direction, came down far from 

 pleased at having failed to discern what he desired. Fatigue, 

 however, now compelled us to halt. 



Our hut was soon constructed, the fire lighted, and the stew- 

 pot filled with water and rice. Not one of us felt inspired with 

 suificient courage to induce him to go reconnoitring. An hour 

 after sunset we were all sleeping side by side ; I'Encuerado had 

 quite forgotten his earth-nuts, and even dropped off to sleep with- 

 out having been able to finish the chant which he commenced. 



I was wakened up by the cries of the tanagers — a beautiful 

 species of bird which lives in flocks. Lucien, like all the rest of us, 

 complained of feeling rather stiff' in the joints, resulting, no doubt, 

 from our long journey the day before. On the morrow our little 

 party started with rather a hobbling gait ; the presence of the 

 birds seemed to tell us that we were near some stream. Our 

 limbs began gradually to lose their numbness ; we were now 

 descending an almost imperceptible slope, and the vegetation 

 assumed a more tropical aspect. As we passed along, I noticed 

 several pepper-plants ; and next we came to bushes, round which 

 myriads of cardinal birds were flying. Guided by these beautiful 

 red-plumaged creatures, we suddenly found ourselves on the 

 banks of a stream, running noiselessly over a bed of white 

 sand. 



With as little delay as possible, a fire gave forth its ex- 

 hilarating flame. Butterflies, dragon-flies, and birds fluttered 

 round the flowering shrubs. There was a perfect concert of 

 buzzing and twittering, and a gentle breeze agitated the foliage 

 and cooled the air. Nothing seemed wanting for our comfort but 

 game for our dinner. Fortunately, Providence rarely does things 

 by halves. We had scarcely sat down to take breath, when a 

 flock of wild-ducks settled near us. They were at once saluted 

 by a platoon fire, and four victims strewed the ground and water 

 with their white, brown, and blue feathers. 



" These are the first aquatic birds we have met with," said 



