146 Mr. O. Salvin’s Quesal-shooting in Vera Paz. 
hears from the feathered tribes. Should, however, a troop of 
Monos (Mycetes palliatus ?) be within hearing, every echo of the 
forest is awakened with their discordant bellowings, which it is 
no exaggeration to say may be heard at the distance of a league. 
March 15.—After some delay we start westward again, as, 
from what we can gather from the Indians, it seems evident 
that we have reached the limits of the Quesals in this direction, 
and the country between us and Coban seems to offer the best 
prospect of success. The only mishap that overtakes us is the 
leakage of my large bottle full of reptiles. On examination the 
cork proves imperfect—a defect easily remedied, had not the 
Indian who carried it got it into his head that the rum having 
snakes in it would produce festering sores wherever it touched 
him ! After a great deal of arguing on the subject, I induce 
one of the guides to take charge of the maligned bottle. That 
night we reach a large c ermita/ where w T e sleep, and secure 
another guide for the next day to conduct us to the district of 
Eashchay, said to abound with Quesals. 
March 16.—On going out I perceive a pair of Ictinia plumbea 
preparing to build in a pine-tree close to the rancho we have 
been sleeping in. As there is no chance of procuring the 
eggs, I secure the birds for my collection. On- entering the 
forest, a fine male Trogon massena falls to Cipriano’s gun. This, 
three Quesals, and a few other birds, form the day’s bag. A 
rancho half in ruins in a small clearing in the forest gives us 
shelter to-night. We prop up one corner, which has a deplorable 
tendency to droop for want of its corner post, and patch up the 
most open places in the roof with the extra stock of ‘suyacales’ 
(mats made of reeds to cover an Indian’s pack) we have brought 
from Lanquin. Eilipe’s hammock gives way on the first trial 
and lets him down w r ith a run; mine seems inclined to remain 
where it is. 
March 17.—A heavy rain tests our last night’s repairs, and 
it requires no small amount of managing to place ourselves and 
our baggage out of the drops that fall in many places from the 
roof. The day clears up at 10 o’clock, and I send Cipriano 
and Filipe in different directions with a guide apiece to shoot 
Quesals, whilst I and the third guide search for other things. 
