A GOLD MINE IN THE WILDERNESS. 20I 



and downless, but the sprouting feather tracts were very 

 distinct. 



On the edge of the branches of the lower mandible, about 

 three-quarters of the way to their base, were two round, white 

 knobs or warts, and a large white patch like an abnormally 

 large egg-tooth was at the tip of each mandible. These 

 structures were undoubtedly direction marks for aiding the 

 parent in finding the mouth of the young bird in the darkness 

 of the nest chamber. When the mouth was open they formed 

 the four corners, with the throat cavity in the centre. 



A most remarkable collection of creatures gathered on the 

 upper side of their wrecked tree, tenants of the bark and wood 

 for the last year. Two small green-headed lizards made 

 flying leaps and escaped ashore. But marooned for life were 

 several species of bark beetles (Nyctobales giganteus and 

 Paxillus leachii), a huge boring beetle, and spiders galore. 

 We noticed a slight disturbance among the bits of floating 

 bark and pith, and scooped up a most wonderful creature — 

 a true bug, perfectly flat, with the sides of its body drawn out 

 into irregular flat serrations, while in color it was the very 

 essence of lichened bark or dead leaf. Placed on a piece of 

 wood it instandy drew in its legs and clung tighdy. If it 

 had not been frightened by the water we could have handled 

 it a dozen times without knowing it was an insect. 



A few yards away a pair of Mealy Amazon Parrots "^ were 

 shrieking and flying resdessly about a great Mora tree, 

 but we could not discover their nest. On our way home a 

 dainty Blue Honey Creeper ""- alighted on the bow of our 

 canoe; rich deep blue except for wings, tail and throat which 

 were black. The feet and legs were clear yellow, showing 

 most conspicuously against the plumage. 



A pair of Great Green Cassiques '''" had swung their 

 four-foot pendent nest from the tallest limb of a tree standing 

 in the water, and we spent ten minutes watching the male 



