chiefly in or near the piedmont area rather than nearer the coast. The rapidly increasing 
hnman population of the Republic, however, will probably cause the clearing of most of the 
coastal forest within the next several centuries to provide needed agricultural land. 
The Pacific Cordillera.—-The slopes of the cordillera which Laem aig 
f a lush, cloud-forest type. A number of species of game. 
SEeAata eas hth erel Nek aenicinet does not yield very satisfactory results in terme of 
birds occur there, but hunting them 
meat. For the hunter whose principal interest is difficult game, and who enjoys stalking 
his quarry and studying their habite as well as attempting to shoot them, these birds of 
the mountain foreste are fascinating subjects. 
On the lower slopes and foothills, curassows or pajuiles (Crax) are reported to 
eccur locally, but we did not obeerve any. The pavas (Penelope) are also said to be fairly 
common in some localities, up to at least 4,000 feet. Both of these species, however, are 
much more numerous and easier to hunt in the drier forests of the Pacific coastal plain. 
Minamous were heard calling in several localities, especially in the cloud forest 
on the Finca Helvetia at about 5,000 feet, but none could be obtained to identify the 
species. They may have been Boucard's tinamou, as that species prefers the dense forest. 
There are two partridges, the long-tailed (Dendrortyx leucophrys subspecies) and 
the long-clawed (Dactylortyz thoracicus chiapengis) to be found in these forests. The 
former occurs from about 1,000 feet up to approximately 6,000 feet. Its habitat is not 
only in the forest, but aleo out in the second growth huatales. The latter occurs in the 
higher, dense forests, usually above 6,000 feet. Both kinds are difficult to shoot, 
chiefly because of the density of the woodland in which they are found. 
From about 5,000 feet up to 8,000 feet, and probably even higher, the black 
chachalaca (Penelopina nigra) lives. Like the two kinds of partridges, it is usually not 
seen until flushed, and then there is only a momentary glimpse before it disappears again, 
To hunt these mountain species successfully, a bird dog should be used, for in the heavy 
forest and dense undergrowth it is usually impossible to see them before they fly, and if 
shot they are apt to be lost in the rank herbage. 
The ruddy quail dove (Oreopeleia montana) and the other doves and pigeons of 
these mountain forests are more often seen than the preceding game birds, but their numbers 
are few in comparison to those of related species present on the Pacific coastal plain. 
Of all theese mountain game birds, the horned turkey or faisdn (Qreophasis 
derbianus) prefers the highest elevations. Seldom is it found below 7,500 feet. The 
dense rain forest is its home, and hunters have seen it as high or higher than 10,000 feet 
on the peaks of San Lucas, Fuego, Zunil, Tacana, and Tajamulco. 
The Interior Highlands.--In former years there was much more game in the high- 
lands, but the elimination of the forest from large areas, the destructive effects of 
burning and soil erosion, night hunting with headlights, the widespread trapping of game 
birds, and other adverse conditions have greatly reduced these wildlife populations. 
Wooded slopes on many of the mountains, especially the steeper ones, and those on light 
soil, should never have been cleared. 
The increase of game in the central highlands would depend primarily upon the 
establishment of good land-use practices with regard to the conservation of foreste and 
soils. This is the basic need. Once these methods are adopted, wildlife will increase. 
The enforcement of laws prohibiting hunting at night by means of headlights, as well as 
that prohibiting the trapping of game, would bring about an additional increase. 
Since so many of the huntere, who would like to see the supply of game increased, 
live in the highlands, it seems all the more advisable to emphasize in this report the 
fundamental advisability of the Gevernment's establishing and maintaining a sound and 
progressive policy regarding the conservation of forests and soils. The future of the 
Republic's economy will depend greatly upon the promptness with which these conservation 
methods are adopted. One of the many desirable results of such a program will also be a 
gradual increase in the wildlife population. 
