48 



A FLYING TRIP TO THE TROPICS. 



conspicuously marked with black and white [Fluvicola ^nca). Their 

 motions seemed to be just like those of our hooded flycatcher. 

 They, too, kept out over the w^ater, where we could not go, so we 

 got no specimens. Cabell shot a hawk like the one that I had killed 

 the day before, and I shot a second one very similar to the first, 

 but with a broAvn head. It was probably a young one. " As wild 

 as a hawk " is an expression of no meaning in Colombia ; they are 

 not at all shy, and it is an easy matter to approach within range. 



We saw a few humming-birds, but got no shots at them. I also 

 saw some turkey-buzzards ( Cathartes cmra)^ but they were scarce in 

 comparison with the black vultures. 



Birds were building at this season, and all were in bad plumage, 

 so they were probably preparing for second broods. We saw ibises 

 carrying sticks for their nests. On our way back we stopped at a 

 little hut in a grove of cocoa palms, and I induced a small boy to 

 climb one of the trees and get us some of the green nuts to quench 

 our thirst with their milk. After throwing down some of them, 

 he pulled out a nest from among the thick leaf-stems and threw it 

 down to us. It contained two small spotted eggs nearly hatched, 

 which were broken by the fall. The birds flew around uttering 

 plaintive cries. They were the size of our scarlet tanager, and of 

 a light bluish gray, darker on the wings and tail ( Tanagra cana). 

 The Indians called them " azulejo," which translates bluebird " 

 pretty closely. 



After supper we skinned some of our birds, having a good deal 

 of trouble with the parrakeets. It is difficult to get the skin of the 

 neck to pass the head. It was hot all day, with a heavy rainstorm 

 in the morning. 



In the courtyard of our hotel there were several cages of parra- 

 keets and troupials. One of the latter was a splendid songster, and 

 imitated to perfection some of the bugle-calls. Whenever any one 

 irritated it, it puffed out its throat until the hackle-like feathers 

 stood out almost on end, and at the same time the pupils of its eyes 

 contracted until they were mere points. 



