CHAPTER II. 



BIRDS. 



The first time we went to Blanquilla, our stay was limited 

 to one day (April 5th, 1906) ; but although we were late 

 in landing, and much time was necessarily taken up in 

 going from one part to another, so as to cover as much 

 ground as possible ; yet, by dint of hard walking and hard 

 work from the time we got ashore until we left at 5 o'clock, 

 we managed to secure fifty-three specimens of birds, 

 twenty to thirty lizards, several iguanas, a small collection 

 of land-shells, some eggs, and a field-mouse. 



Of this day's collecting, undertaken in the scorching 

 T&ys of a tropical sun, on an almost shadeless island, we 

 shall always have a lively recollection ; and so, we imagine, 

 will Mr. Barton, head-steward on the yacht, who is a keen 

 naturalist and a most enthusiastic and energetic field- 

 collector, to whom we owe much, for help willingly given. 

 Nor must we forget to mention the indefatigable efforts of 

 two sailors, Courtman and Gilbey, who, towards the end 

 of the day, as the results of innumerable encounters with 

 the cactus, appeared like nothing so much as walking 

 piacuchions. 



There are possibly some people who might think that 

 the above-mentioned bag does not represent a very 

 strenuous day's work ; and that to be reduced to including 

 a mouse is drawing things rather fine. Yet the mouse, 

 besides being possibly a very important representative of 

 the fauna of the island, gave us nearly as much trouble to 

 catch as the lizards ; and if anyone wants to know what 



