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Show 38 MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM COSTA RICA. [Jan. 15, My hunting-ground during the first weeks was in the valley of San Jose; but I was rather disappointed, birds being very scarce, which was due chiefly to the poverty of the vegetation, all the soil for many miles having been turned into coffee-plantations. The only places for hunting were the roads from San Jose to the towns and villages of Heredia, Alajuela, Tres Rios, Desamparados, &c. O n the trees and shrubs surrounding the coffee-plantations small flocks of birds were flying about. These flocks consisted of the following species-Pyrgisoma cabanisi, Zonotrichia pileata, Buarremon chrysopogon, Saltator grandis, Catharus melpomene, Turdus grayi, Cyclorhis fiavipectus, Elainea pagana, Myiarchus crinitus, and several other species of Tanagridae, Fringillidae, and Tyrannidae. A m o n g the Trochilidae Pyrrhophcena riefferi, Saucerottia sophiese, and Chlorolampis osberti were the only three species to be seen at that time. In the gardens and maize-fields several species of Spermophila were found feeding on seeds. In the barrancas (deep ravines occasioned by the large quantity of water which falls in the rainy season) the vegetation was more varied, and several species of Columbidae were met with. In all parts of the valley you always find the same species. At the end of January, I made an excursion to the valley of San Carlos, in company with M M . Koschny and Meil de Fontenay, who proved to be very good travelling companions. The valley of San Carlos divides the Republic of Costa Rica from that of Nicaragua. It lies on the Atlantic slope, and extends as far as the river San Juan, which is the boundary of the two countries. It is quite a tropical climate, and considered very unhealthy. The forests are of the most magnificent description. There are scarcely any roads or inhabitants, except four or five settlers w h o are trying to raise cattle, and some few Nicaraguans w h o are engaged in extracting the juice of the india-rubber tree (Siphonia elastica). To reach San Carlos we had to pass Sarzero and Laguna, two small villages lying at the summit of the Cordillera, near the volcano of Poas. Thence we had to descend gradually about 5000 feet through a very picturesque country. W e arrived the third day, at twelve, at the rancho where we intended to stop. From this rancho you can reach Greytown by water in little more than half a day. The return takes about six days, as you have then to go against the current. The animal life is prodigious; flocks of birds are constantly passing to and fro. Early in the morning and at sunset large quantities of Howling Monkeys (Mycetes palliatus) are heard all around. They make a fearful noise; and one who has not heard them before may well fancy that the forest is thronged with Jaguars. These last-mentioned animals used to be very common; but now they are rather scarce, having been much persecuted. Large flocks of Ara macao, Chrysotis farinosa, Pionus senilis, Conurus astec, and other species of Parrots are constantly passing in all directions. |
