204 CAMPS IN THE CARIBBEES. 
But, gratified as I was with this stir of animated life 
that my seductive call had evoked, I still awaited 
anxiously the appearance of that rara avis of these 
solitudes. Soon I heard a low call-note, such as I 
had heard that bird give utterance to, and imitating it 
closely as possible, I was gratified to hear it repeated 
nearer at hand, and then caught a glimpse of a dusky 
body flitting on rapid wing through the farther shades. 
Its flight was very rapid and noiseless. It suddenly 
came into view a good gun-shot off, evidently excited, 
twitching its tail, jerking its wings, and uttering a 
low whistle. In a thought it saw me, just as I caught 
a snap-shot as it darted through the closely-woven 
branches. Through the thin veil of smoke J caught 
sight of a few floating feathers, and hurried forward 
without reloading, breaking my way through matted 
masses of ferns, leaping gullies, and swinging myself 
finally beneath the tree upon which he had for a 
moment rested. There was nothing in sight. Dis- 
appointed, I yet trusted those floating feathers had 
not misled me, and renewed the search, carefully 
displacing the ferns and fallen branches one by one. 
It was only upon searching lower down, where a 
steep incline had given it impetus, that I found it, 
lodged in a wild pine on the verge of a ravine. 
Exultant was I then, as that soft-plumaged bird lay 
in view before me; forgotten was the toil and previous 
exertion, forgotten the rain and discomfort of the 
night. I had triumphed over all obstacles in my path, 
and was about to hold in my hand the first soufriére- 
bird known to have been shot within the memory of 
any one now living. In my anxiety, in my headlong 
