106 SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



Having obtained specimens of the ore, in 

 its different stages of preparation, and the 

 various processes in use being explained to us, 

 we rode through a very rich valley to Upper 

 Themascaltepec, a small town of not very in- 

 viting appearance, about four miles from the 

 lower town, and returned by another route to 

 Mr. Wilcox^ mine. The ride was altogether 

 through a fertile country, and the farms and 

 cottages presented an appearance of comfort 

 not usually seen. We killed several new 

 birds, among which was a species of thrush, 

 of a deep lead colour, whose note could not 

 be surpassed by any of that musical family 

 which inhabit Europe. 



I shot several humming birds in the garden 

 of the house in which we lived — a pomegranate 

 tree in full blossom was much frequented by 

 them, and afforded me many opportunities of 

 observing their manners and habits. 



The rocks round the town abound with 



