223 



PASTURE LANDS — BIRDS. 



canoes nearly up to the town. It is now a dusty road; then it is a nar- 

 row channel through the herd-grass, which grows eight feet high. The 

 floods come loaded with earth from the mountains, and overflow these 

 lands. The mud settles on the surface of the soil as it filters through 

 the herd-grass. The clean water gradually drains off, leaving a coat of 

 earth behind. The old crop of coarse grass has fallen; the seeds are 

 planted in the old deposite, and up it grows again. Here we have an 

 annual deposite of earth and one of grass-stalks. ' 



The bridge stands so high we can see afar off in all directions. 

 There are a few clusters of trees here and there where the river upheaves 

 the land. 



Thousands of birds that fly in the air or walk on the plain are water- 

 fowl. Away on the eastern horizon we see a long black line. As it 

 approaches we hide in the grass, for the motion of the wings are those 

 of the wild duck. As the gun goes off, wild geese rise up with cranes, 

 as they do from the edge of a great lake. Snipe and signs of snakes 

 are visible. 



Mamore enjoys being let out of the canoe. He dashes through the 

 grass after the cattle ; while he chases the calf, the cow rushes after. 

 Suddenly he comes to a stand in front of an angry-looking bull. 

 Some of these cattle are in good order, while others look small and 

 thin. The land is all new formation ; not a stone is to be seen in the 

 soil nor a grain of sand. We now understand why the Indians gather 

 up flint from rocks about Vinchuta. Here is a great market for salt 

 and flints. 



We find the sun warm as we walk along the stream. In the distance 

 we see the red-tiled roofs of the town of Trinidad. 



Flocks of large blue pigeons are flying by us, and feeding upon the 

 seed of a weed that grows in marshy places. These pigeons are wild, 

 yet they are the same in appearance as the common tamed pigeon. 

 There are a number of large birds we never saw before. One of them I 

 supposed to be an ostrich ; but it flew up in the air, spreading a larger 

 wing than the condor, and of a spotted gray color. Among the grass- 

 tops are some of the most beautiful little scarlet and blue birds, all 

 feeding upon the seed. 



A deer bounded through the grass ; the country seems to be alive 

 with animals. 



If we had come down the Andes in the wet season, we have soma 

 doubts if we should have found much of the province of Mojos above 

 water ; for, from the accounts of the men, they cross the country in 

 every direction in their canoes, while the horses, cows, and other anti- 



