144 Mr. O. Salving Quesal-shooting in Vera Paz. 
satisfactory account of its appearance than that it was coffee- 
coloured, and about the size of a small Thrush. Its song, which 
I heard frequently, is most peculiar, and comprises some of the 
highest notes I ever heard from any bird. It is clear and 
melodious, without having any great variation. The name 
commonly applied to it is the c ruisenor/ or Nightingale. I 
think it probable that the bird may be one of the numerous 
Wrens found in the country. 
The cries of the Quesal are various. They consist principally 
of a low double note, “ whe-oo , whe-oo” which the bird repeats, 
whistling it softly at first, and then gradually swelling it into a 
loud but not umnelodious cry. This is often succeeded by a 
long note, which begins low, and after swelling dies away as it 
began. Both these notes can be easily imitated by the human 
voice. The bird’s other cries are harsh and discordant. They 
are best imitated by doubling a pliant leaf over the first fingers, 
which must be held about two inches apart. The two edges of 
the leaf being then placed in the mouth and the breath drawn 
in, the required sound is produced. Cipriano was an adept at 
imitating these cries, but I failed in producing them for want 
of practice. When searching for Quesals the hunter whistles 
as he walks along, here and there sitting down and repeating 
the other notes. As soon as he hears a bird answering at a 
distance he stops, and imitates the bird’s cries until it has 
approached near enough to enable him either to shoot it from 
where he stands, or to creep up to within shot. The female 
generally flies up first and perches on a tree near the hunter, 
who takes no notice of her, but continues calling till the male, 
who usually quickly follows the female, appears. Should the 
male not show himself, the hunter will sometimes shoot the 
female. Thus it is that so large a proportion of males are shot. 
The flight of the Quesal is rapid and straight; the long tail- 
feathers, which never seem to be in his way, stream after him. 
The bird is never found except in forests composed of the 
highest trees, the lower branches of which (i. e . those at about 
two-tliirds of the height of the tree from the ground) seem to 
be its favourite resort. Its food consists principally of fruit, but 
occasionally a caterpillar may be found in its stomach. The 
