32 



SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



birds, amongst them the crested Meadow- 

 Lark of America, a large and fine bird for 

 the table ; these were as tame as fowls in the 

 poultry-yard. Through the rest of the even- 

 ing the birds, hares, &c. were very numerous, 

 and we might easily have killed sufficient for 

 a large party. The hares are very small ; 

 considerably less than our rabbits, but in 

 other respects they are like our own. The 

 country, too, began to be improved by 

 vegetation before we arrived ^t San Rafael, 

 where we intended to pass the night. 



Here we found nearly as good an inn as 

 any on the road, and a description of it and of 

 our treatment, may serve as specimens of the 

 whole, no doubt to the surprise of those who 

 have believed what some writers, not tra- 

 vellers, have asserted respecting the ample 

 accommodations to be found in these parts. 

 The Posada, is a large shed thatched with 

 leaves or reeds, partly enclosed, like a bird- 



