1894
March 26
(No 7)
Trinidad B.W.I.
Caparo
  While we were watching the Bell Bird my eyes & ears took
in many other sights and sounds. Every now and then
a Hummer (Glaucis or Eucephala) droned overhead or dashed
past us. Trogons gave their Cuckoo or Flicker-like calls and
the rasping croak of the Toucan came almost incessantly
from two or three different directions at once. Creepers
(Coereba luteola) were singing on every side and now and
then a Wren (Thryothorus rutilus) repeated its clear, silvery
song two or three times in quick succession. The loud
singing whistle of Dendrornis susurrans was also a
frequent and characteristic sound of these lovely woods,
and the Flicker-like "shout" of Thamnophilus major, ending
with its curious Crow caw, was occasionally heard.
[margin] Sounds of
a Trinidad
forest [/margin]
  Before we left the place the sun had sunk below
the tops of the trees and the woods about us fairly
rang with the weird, unearthly music of the Tinamou
while the Coq-bois whistled on [delete] all sides of us [/delete] every side.
It was twilight under the trees when we reached the
trace and the only bird voice now was the deep hoo of
the Mot-mot who calls latest of all the diurnal birds
here. Small bats were flying about close to the ground
among the undergrowth and every now and then a
Morpho butterfly passed us. We had the net with
us and caught a number of other species but
this has thus far eluded us.
  Carr is altogether the most delightful and congenial
companion for a woodland walk that I have ever met.
He is quiet yet alert, an accomplished woodsman as quick
to see "signs" of animals & birds as are the best of our Manu
guides and withal an enthusiastic naturalist. He knows
all the trees, shrubs & flowers & most of the birds & insects also.