44 



A FLYING TRIP TO THE TROPICS. 



It was glittering green, almost exactly like those that we got in 

 Curasao, but its tail was forked {Chlorostilbon cmgustij^ennis). 



We saw a number of partridges, and tried to get some, but 

 failed. They were just about the size of our Virginia partridge ; 

 and, to my surprise, I several times heard them call " bob-white." 



All of the birds that we killed were in poor plumage ; they were 

 evidently just beginning to mo nit. 



We saw some brilliantly colored butterflies of various species. 



I was surprised at the number of trees and bushes bearing thorns, 

 — nearly all having thorns of different sizes. One tree, of large 

 size and smooth, light green bark, had scattered over the trunk 

 teat-like excrescences an inch or more in height and sharp-pointed, 

 which would entirely prevent any one from climbing the tree. 

 Some of the palms had very hard needle-like thorns, which would 

 pierce the sole of a shoe ; others had rows of short hooks arranged 

 like the teeth of a saw. 



As it was getting towards sundown, we turned back, and reached 

 the hotel in time for supper. 



In the evening the American consul, Mr. Neckius, and his assist- 

 ant, Mr. Candor, called upon us. It was hot, and there were one 

 or two light showers. 



Wednesday, June 22, 1892. Cabell and I went out early to see 

 about engaging passage and staterooms on the steamer Enrique, 

 which was to start up the Magdalena on the following day for the 

 head of navigation, Yeguas. After attending to this, we tried to 

 get a trunk, so as to relieve the crowded condition of ours ; but we 

 could not find a suitable one, so finally bought a " pataca," a sort 

 of bale covering, made of raw hide, the hair side out, which is used 

 throughout the country as a case for transporting tobacco on mule- 

 back. It is closed by being laced up with a raw-hide thong. 



When we returned to the hotel, we repacked our things, leaving 

 one trunk clear for skins. 



After breakfast, we took our guns and started off on foot. We 

 walked down the railroad several miles, and, taking it easy, came 



