210 
ANIMALS. 
ure, is composed of twisted black feathers, narrow at the base 
and broad at the tip. The females have a smaller crest, and 
their feathers are more dull. They associate in small flocks, 
build their nests in trees, and live on buds and fruits. 
In the dense forests which skirt the Jaltepec River on the 
south, both the Wild Turkey and Curassow are surprisingly nu 
merous, and have so little fear of man, that the Indians fre- 
quently kill them by means of stones or other missiles. The 
Ohaclialaca is about the size of a common fowl, and its flesh is 
even more delicate and nutritious. The cry of this bird is ex- 
tremely harsh and disagreeable. 
The Gkallatorial birds, though not the most useful, are- by no 
means the least numerous class found here. On all the princi- 
pal rivers, lakes, and marshes, we find immense flocks of these 
birds, including the Flamingo, Bittern, Heron, Jacana, Curlew, 
Teru-tero, Sand-piper, &c. ; of most of which there are numerous 
species. 
The Palmipedes also constitute a numerous class, embracing 
the Pelican, Duck, Gannet, Torcaza, Pico real, Orilla, Wild 
Goose, Frigate-bird, &c, &c. Ducks are very numerous in all 
the streams of any size, and present a number of species, in- 
cluding the Black Duck, Muscovy Duck, and Blue-winged Teal. 
It will be seen from this hasty glance at the birds of the 
Isthmus, that this country presents a rich field for the investiga- 
tions of the ornithologist; and it is to those professionally 
skilled in this branch of zoology that we must leave the enu- 
meration and detailed description of the immense variety of 
birds inhabiting it. 
Of Reptiles, we find the Tortoise, Alligator, Turtle, Lizard, 
[guana, Rattlesnake, Coralillo, JVojaca, Anchan, Jicotea, Cola- 
htiesa, Biber de sangre, &c, &c. Alligators are numerous in all 
the principal streams on the Isthmus, even far up in the mount- 
ains, but are found in much greater numbers, and of a larger 
size, near the sea-coast. At daybreak these monsters emerge 
from the water and creep slowly to the shore, on which they 
compose themselves for a nap, by shutting their eyes and opening 
their huge jaws. As the sun rises the flies swarm into the in- 
viting thorax, and revel for a while in undisturbed security, un- 
