BIRDS IN PANAMA BAY. 29 



to the habits of the population of this region. The 

 time was not wholly wasted, as even the least ob- 

 servant passengers were struck with admiration at 

 the performances of a swarm of small birds, many- 

 hundreds in number, that seemed to have selected the 

 space over the shallow water opposite the town for 

 their evolutions. For more than half an hour they 

 continued to whirl in long loops or nearly circular 

 sweeps, with no other apparent motive than the 

 pleasure of the exercise. Seen from a distance, the 

 appearance was that of a wreath ; nearer at hand, 

 the arrangement was seen to be constantly varying. 

 Sometimes the birds were so close together that it 

 seemed as if their wings must jostle ; sometimes they 

 were drawn out into long curves, looking silvery white 

 when the sun fell upon their breasts, and of a darker 



tint at other incidences. Mr. W asserted that 



the bird is a kind of snipe, but I have no doubt that 

 it is a tern. 



At last the little tender glided from the wharf, and 

 for the first time we gained a general view of the 

 town, which has a full share of that element of 

 picturesqueness which is so strangely associated with 

 decay. The old ramparts fast crumbling away, here 

 and there rent by earthquakes, and backed by time- 

 stained buildings, would offer many a study to the 

 painter. Sunset was at hand when we reached the 

 steamer Islay, anchored under the lee of one of 

 the small islands of the bay, and were fortunate in 

 finding among the not too numerous passengers 

 several whose society added to the interest of the 

 voyage. 



