1897.] Bird Life in Central America. 199 
somewhat more simple, is, that in siliceous rocks, or in posi- 
tions where calcareous fossils are exposed to siliceous waters, 
the terrestrial waters carrying silica, which may have entered 
into solution through its union with organic bodies, dissolve 
these fossils by their contained carbonic anhydride, and 
this assumption of a new burden diminishes their carrying 
power of other dissolved contents, and these latter are dropped 
at the exact moment the new solution is effected. Or, as car- 
bonate of lime is taken up in solution silica is deposited. In 
the phenomenon of solutions and solvents this equilibrium of 
dissolved contents perhaps is not clearly proven, but seems in 
some cases probable. 
(To be Continued.) 
BIRD LIFE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. 
By DaxnırrL F. RANDOLPH. 
; A short time ago a friend of the writer was in Central Amer- 
ica for the purpose of studying the country and its peculiar 
people. Ornithology is a hobby of his. Upon his return, I 
induced him to give me an account of his trip, which he did. 
The following is a transcript of my shorthand notes of his talk. 
“T remember,” he began, “that about the shores of the 
lagoon where I spent considerable time, there were great 
numbers of a handsome rail, which was very delicate eating, 
the flesh being milk white. It has a habit of skulking under 
the reeds and bushes on the shores during the day, and some- 
times, when congregated in marshy places, makes a great noise 
by chattering in chorus. When shot, this bird goes through 
more contortions than any other bird I know of, not running 
away when wounded, but invariably tumbling on the ground, 
kicking and fluttering about in the most violent manner. 
“A large red-breasted kingfisher is very common -in all the 
lagoons and the lower part of the rivers; and blue and white 
garlings are seen on nearly all the shoals and creeks. 
“I went along the sea-beach (by a little lagoon), among the 
