88 



GTLACHARO. 



entrance is towards the south, and is formed in the 

 vertical face of a rock, covered with trees of gigantic 

 height, intermixed with numerous species of singular 

 and beautiful plants, some of which hang in festoons 

 over the vault. This luxuriant vegetation is not 

 confined to the exterior of the cave, but appears 

 even in the vestibule, where the travellers were as- 

 tonished to see heliconias nineteen feet in height, 

 palms, and arborescent arums. They had advanced 

 about four hundred and sixty feet before it became 

 necessary to light their torches, when they heard 

 from afar the hoarse screams of the birds. 



The guacharo is the size of a domestic fowl, and 

 has somewhat the appearance of a vulture, with a 

 mouth like that of a goatsucker. It forms a distinct 

 genus in the order Passeres, differing from that just 

 named in having a stronger beak, furnished with two 

 denticulations, though in its manners it bears an af- 

 finity to it as well as to the alpine crow. Its plu- 

 mage is dark bluish-gray, minutely streaked and 

 spotted with deep brown ; the head, wings, and tail 

 being marked with white spots bordered with black. 

 The extent of the wings is three feet and a half. It 

 lives on fruits, but quits the cave only in the even- 

 ing. The shrill and piercing cries of these birds, 

 assembled in multitudes, are said to form a harsh 

 and disagreeable noise, somewhat resembling that 

 of a rookery. The nests, which the guides showed 

 by means of torches fastened to a long pole, were 

 placed in funnel-shaped holes in the roof. The 

 noise increased as they advanced, the animals being 

 frightened by the numerous lights. 



About midsummer every year the Indians, armed 

 with poles, enter the cave, and destroy the greater 

 part of the nests. Several thousands of young birds 

 are thus killed, and the old ones hover around, utter- 

 ing frightful cries. Those which are secured in this 

 manner are opened on the spot, to obtain the fat 

 which exists abundantly in their abdomen, and which 



