1850 .] 
(C 
COCKS OF THE ROCK. 
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90 1 
up the animals, and partially smoked all the prime 
pieces, which they now brought with them carefully 
packed up in palm-leaves. The party had no bows and 
arrows, but had killed the game with their blow-pipes, 
and little poisoned arrows about ten inches long. 
After breakfast was over we prepared for an attack 
upon the “ Gallos.” We divided into three parties, going 
in different directions. The party which I accompanied 
went to ascend the Serra itself as far as practicable. We 
started out at the back of our cave, which was, as I have 
stated, formed by the base of the mountain itself. We 
immediately commenced the ascent up rocky gorges, 
over huge fragments, and through gloomy caverns, all 
mixed together in the most extraordinary confusion. 
Sometimes we had to climb up precipices by roots and 
creepers, then to crawl over a surface formed by angular 
rocks, varying from the size of a wheelbarrow to that of 
a house. I could not have imagined that what at a dis- 
tance appeared so insignificant, could have presented 
such a gigantic and rugged scene. All the time we kept 
a sharp look-out, but saw no birds. At length however 
an old Indian caught hold of my arm, and whispering 
gently, “Gallo!” pointed into a dense thicket. After 
looking intently a little while, I caught a glimpse of the 
magnificent bird sitting amidst the gloom, shining out 
like a mass of brilliant flame. I took a step to get a 
clear view of it, and raised my gun, when it took alarm 
and flew off before I had time to fire. We followed, 
and soon it was again pointed out to me. This time I 
had better luck, fired with a steady aim, and brought it 
down. The Indians rushed forward, but it had fallen 
