A YOUNG NA TUBALIST. 



335 



enne goshawk, which is characterized by having a head cov- 

 ered with ash-colored feathers, by a brown body, and black 

 feathers in its tail." 

 "Will you skin it ?" 



" Yes, certainly, Master Sunbeam ; firstly, because this is 

 any thing but a common bird; and, secondly, during the 

 few days we shall stay here, we must endeavor to fill the 

 boxes which we have had so much difficulty in making." 



At this moment a finch, with red, brown, and white feath- 

 ers, settled near us. 



" It is the JPyrrhula telasco" said my friend, " a species 

 discovered by Lesson, the celebrated ornithologist, in his 

 journey to Lima. Ah ! if I wasn't so economical with the 

 powder — " 



" I have some powder," muttered Torribio. 

 " You have some powder 1" I cried ; " will you sell us 

 some?" 



" No," answered the Indian, dryly. 



" Why not ?" was my rejoinder. " Are you also a sports- | 

 man ? Besides, if you are, you will soon be going to Pue- 

 bla, where you could get a fresh supply." 



" I never sell my powder," was the terse response. 



" Very well, then, let us say no more about it." 



We crossed over the stream by means of a tree which 

 stretched from one bank to the other. Ere the sun ceased 

 to gild the ravine with its rays we found ourselves opposite 

 to the dwelling of the Indian patriarch, which overlooked a 

 hut similar to that of our guide. The sky was a pale blue, 

 and we had a glimpse of the monotonous plain dotted over 

 with the sombre cactus-plant; while just below us figured 

 the fresh oasis, rendered all the more charming by the con- 

 trast. The birds warbled in the shrubs, and one by one 

 flew away in order to return to the trees, among the branch- 

 es of which they had perhaps first crept out of the paternal 



9 



