508 



ing at the beach of Pararuma, where we found 

 an encampment of Indians, similar to that we 

 had seen at the Boca de la Tortuga. They had 

 assembled to search the sands, collect the tur- 

 tles' eggs, and extract the oil ; but they had un- 

 fortunately made a mistake of several days. 

 The little turtles* had come out of their shells, 

 before the Indians had formed their camp. Ac- 

 cordingly the crocodiles and the garzes, a species 

 of large white herons, had availed themselves of 

 the delay. These animals, alike fond of the 

 flesh of the young turtles, devour an innumera- 

 ble quantity. They fish during the night, for 

 the tortuguillos do not come out of the earth, to 

 gain the neighbouring river, till after the even- 

 ing twilight. The zamuro vultures are too 

 indolent to hunt after sunset. They stalk around 

 the shores in the day : alight in the midst of the 

 Indian encampment, to steal provision ; and 

 often find no other means of satisfying their vo- 

 racity, than by attacking young crocodiles of 

 seven or eight inches long, either on the land, 

 or in water of little depth. It is curious to see 

 the address, with which these little animals de- 

 fend themselves for some time against the vul- 

 tures. As soon as they perceive them, they raise 

 themselves on their fore paws, bend their back, 



* Los tortuguillos. 

 t See above, chap, viii. vol. iW> p. 205. 



