File:Two bird-lovers in Mexico (1905) (14771226153).jpg

Identifier: twobirdloversinm00beeb (find matches)
Title: Two bird-lovers in Mexico
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Beebe, William, 1877-1962
Subjects: Natural history -- Mexico Birds -- Mexico
Publisher: London, A. Constable & company, ltd. Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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tricklesthere, no leaves rustle, no birds sing amid the solitude;and the Roadrunner too is dumb, venting his feelingsonly in an occasional loud Castanet clatter of his mand-ibles — like the breaking of drv sticks. The feet of the Long-tailed Jays, with the usualthree toes in front and one behind, seemed perfectlyadapted for jiercliing ; but when we observed the ma-caws climbing al)()ut the branches of trees, we thoughthow admirably the condition of two toes in front andtwo behind was adapted for climbing; but here wasthe cuckoo as much at home in the trees as the jays,and the Roadrunner, also with ecjually divided toes,doing everything, running, leaping, climbing, andperching; so we withdrew our theories of bestadaptations in confusion. If only Nature wouldmake her tchys and irherefores more plain ! PARROTS AND FLYCATCHERS Before we had been in camp two days, a Hock ofsmall parrakeets — the Red-and-blue-headed — dashedpast the tents and alighted near by. These little - «4 ITS ^
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.•::::::::m NEAR THE T^YIN VOLCANOS m::::::::: fellows have an individuality which is irresistible.They are the most sociable little creatures, calling-loudly to each other when on the wing, and keepingup a continuous low chuckling and chattering whenperched. One would climb, foot over foot, to a largefruit, take several bites and return to his mate, closeto whom he would snuggle and offer his head for anaffectionate nibble. The favourite fruit of these birdswas very sticky and juicy, and the little creatures werealmost always in a disgracefully soiled condition,—their bills and heads encrusted with the gummy liquid.These little parrakeets were not shy, but very watch-ful, and, when frightened, they always flew to a curioustree which, though bare of leaves, was sparsely coveredwith an odd-looking, long and four-sided fruit of agreen colour. Under such circumstances they alightedall together, and, unlike their usual custom of perchingin pairs, they scattered all over the tree, stoo

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