MOUNTAIN BIRDS. 
139 
bably few Europeans, at least few who could at all 
appreciate their beauty, had ever trodden them, were 
pleasant accessories ; not to mention the delightful 
coolness of a temperature which, perhaps, never ex- 
ceeds 70°, after the oppressing heat of the lowlands. 
I used frequently to set out two hours before dawn^ 
and ride leisurely up, by the light of the moon or 
of the twinkling, quivering stars, listening to the rich 
melodies poured forth by dozens of Mocking birds 
from the fruit trees and groves of the lower hills, and 
arrive at the mountain-brow about sunrise. There I 
would leave my horse, and, throwing the bridle over 
his neck, allow him to graze on a little open pasture 
until my return, while I pursued on foot the track 
which I have been describing. Here I often spent 
many hours at a time, engaged in collecting speci- 
mens of zoology and botany, in making observations, 
or in calmly drinking-in the quiet enjoyment that 
the scene afforded. Very few birds occur in this 
region ; but such as are found are of peculiar interest. 
The wary Jabbering Crow {Corvus Jamaicensis) gives 
utterance to his strange, uncouth articulations, as he 
calls to his fellow from the topmost branches of the 
very loftiest trees, or sails along, on labouring wing, 
from one such post of observation to another, taking 
good care to keep out of harm’s way. This, too, is 
the region of the Solitaire {Ptilogonys armillatus ) ; 
that mysterious recluse, whose rich flute-like tones 
fall slowly upon the ravished ear, like the measured 
notes of a psalm. One, and another, and another, 
take up the strain, till the mellow notes come one by 
one from all parts of the dark surrounding woods, 
