1871.] 267 [Grayson. 



the water from copious rains. In ascending the elevated plateau 

 upon the northern and southern end of Maria Madre from the sea 

 shore, we find the country to be as flat as a table for several^miles in 

 extent, covered with large trees and rank vegetation. This horizon- 

 tal formation of the underlying strata retains the moisture in the 

 earth throughout the dry season. It is my opinion, from various indi- 

 cations, that bituminous coal exists in this island. 



"Good water is found by sinking a well fifteen or twenty feet. In 

 the latter part of the dry season, I saw young and tender plants 

 growing luxuriantly. The cotton and tobacco planted by Don 

 Andres continued fresh and green throughout the dry season, and of 

 very large growth, also melons, squashes, beans, etc., without irriga- 

 tion. The shelly debris and vast amount of decaying vegetable mat- 

 ter have created an exceedingly rich and prolific soil. 



"How many centuries after the islands made their appearance 

 above ocean's waves it has taken to prepare a soil for its present 

 form of vegetable and animal life, can only be left to conjecture or 

 the scientific geologist to determine. 



"The climate is healthy, and free from malarious influences. The 

 usual northwest trades, which are almost constant and of moderate 

 force, serve to cool the air, making a temperature both regular, 

 balmy and pleasant during the year. 



"In the dry season heavy dews are frequent, the drops of which 

 I have often seen the birds sipping, for want of other means of 

 quenching their thirst, there being but few ojas de agua (springs). 



"Thus we see in these islands a little world, whose creation seems 

 to be comparatively modern, and whose fauna and vegetation are in 

 many respects peculiar to itself. 



"The following list will represent the birds found upon these 

 Islands. I include no species but those actually seen by me. In a few 

 instances only, when I supposed the birds to be new, I have given their 

 natural history more in detail." 



"BIRDS OF THE TRES MARIAS." 



VULTURID^E. 



1. Cathartes aura (Linn.). " Turkey Buzzard ; Sopilote." 

 " This widely distributed species is common upon the Islands, 

 where it is a constant resident, or a visitor from the main land. 



