Bird-Lore Volume 18 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 Excerpt: ...without alighting, flew by the ship at eleven o'clock on May 8, when we were in about Lat. 31 28'; Long. 76 46'. The occurrence so far from the land of a bird whose migrations are not known to extend south of the Gulf States was most unexpected. The second land-bird recorded was a Cuban Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva), which boarded the ship when we were between Cuba and Yucatan, a fact which is of significance in accounting for the breeding of this West Indian species in eastern Yucatan. While waiting for the steamer to sail for Guayaquil, we visited the ruins of the old city of Panama and, aside from its historic interest, the place possesses unusual attractions for a naturalist. The rainy season had just begun, vegetation was luxuriant, and many species of birds were in song. The sandy or mangrove-lined shores, pastures, bush-grown fields and patches of forest offer wide variety of haunts, while an eminently unpicturesque posada, recently erected for the accommodation of picnicing tourists, would afford the bird-student a lodging in the very heart of what is evidently a fertile region. During the four-day voyage from Panama to Guayaquil, a large Petrel, apparently of the genus Mstrelata, was common, and two species of Booby (Sula) were seen near La Plata Island, on which they evidently lived. This island, however, has no large colonies of birds such as inhabit the guano islands off the coast of Peru, although its barrenness makes it seemingly an ideal resort for sea-fowl. Guayaquil was reached May 20, and our camp was made on the flanks of Chimborazo at an altitude of 11,840 feet. From this point the mountain was ascended to the upper limit of vegetation, at approximately 14,000 feet. Beyond this height only the Condor ranged and we watched these maj...