&IX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



231 



state, on their migration from the north side 

 of the Gulph of Mexico to the coast of Yuca- 

 tan. The cabin was never without these 

 pretty creatures, which entered the windows 

 in pursuit of the flies, that were here in 

 great plenty. Some of them became fa- 

 miliar, remained undisturbed for many hours, 

 and took the small chopped meat and water 

 placed for them, affording me a better oppor- 

 tunity of observing their habits than I could 

 have obtained on shore. The boys caught 

 for me twenty-five different species on the 

 deck and rigging ; but the attempts to keep 

 them alive were unsuccessful, and I pre- 

 served them on the spot. Many were of 

 great beauty and variety, and some unde- 

 scribed. Among those known were the purple 

 heron, common snipe, pigmy sandpiper, the 

 lesser spotted rail, American chatterer, orange 

 and black warbler, and two kinds of swal- 

 lows. 



