Dec. 30 - The send and ash in the vapor column are diminishing. Little 
by little the birds approach closer, many of them to the camp on Jaratiro, 
where they gather the crumbs thrown away by the tourists. Similarly, 
the animals, like the squirrels, chipmunks, coyotes, foxes and other 
small animals, which for almost 3 years were not to be seen because the 
noise of the volcano frightened those away that did not die, are returning. 
Columns of vapor toward the southwest . At night, each explosion throws 
out incandescent bombs. 
31 - The noises repeat themselves each seven to eight or even ten seconds 
with peaceful intervals for five or eight minutes. The column emitted 
from the crater makes a pillar of cottony puffs, stretching into a thin 
simple cloud toward the west. During the periods without noise the 
vapors are interrupted and one notes the puffs distinctly before they 
join to form a cloud. The winds have changed from east toward the west, 
and the region is without clouds. In some of the higher altitudes dust 
clouds travel from west to east, because the xvinds change from moment to 
moment. On this last day of the year, the volcano continues to dis- 
charge vapors, with strong noises. 
