SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



37 



species of eagles, numerous and beautiful 

 hawks, various crows, oriols, cuckoos, &c, 

 &c, all of which suffered us to approach them 

 within pistol shot. The Virginia nightingale 

 (loxia cardinalis) with plumage much more 

 resplendently scarlet than is found in the 

 United States, was constantly passing like a 

 meteor across our sight, and the contrast of 

 its rich colours with the fine green foliage was 

 very striking. On this day's journey we also 

 observed several tumuli or mounds of earth, 

 but they are of such frequent recurrence, and 

 so much resemble natural hills, that they have 

 escaped particular observation ; though I ima- 

 gine them to be teocalli, and of the same 

 kind as those found in the interior. 



About one o'clock we arrived at rather a 

 considerable Indian village, in which was a 

 church thatched like the houses. We took 

 shelter from the burning sun, on the outside 

 of the posada, under the roof, and unpacked 



