m 



OUR SEARCH FOR A WILDERNESS. 



the branches on the lookout for Hzards, the Hoatzins always 

 tumbled pell mell into the shelter of the thick foliage below. 



We found that the best time to approach and photograph 

 the birds was during their siesta. As we paddled along the 

 bank they scrambled from their perches or nests up to the 

 bare branches overhead, calling hoarsely to one another. 



Fig. 154. (C) Male Hoatzin alasmed and about to take Flight. 



Pushing aside the dense growth of Arums and vines, we 

 worked our canoe as far as possible into the heart of the 

 bush, to the foot of some good -sized tree perhaps a foot in di- 

 ameter. Stepping from the boat to the lowest limb, Milady 

 would hand mc the big Graflex with the unwieldy but 

 necessary 27-inch lens, and I began my painful ascent. 

 At first all was easy going, but as I ascended I broke off 



