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Show 438 MR. A. BOUCARD ON BIRDS FROM YUCATAN. [June 19, four leagues south of Calotmul, on the border of the largest forest-trees yet seen in Yucatan. The forests are open and quite penetrable. (11) Chem Jonat is a new rancho, three leagues further in this forest; there the collections of August, September, and October were made. The incessant rains and immense floods of water of September and October rendered collecting an utter impossibility ; besides the persistent and almost universal intermittent and pernicious fevers made it extremely hazardous to expose one's self to the inclemencies of the weather. The Aguadas are deep excavations in the earth, which are filled with water never very deep. These are said to be natural; but I a m of opinion that many of them are artificial, or at least reconstructed by the ancient Maya races. They are of various sizes, but average from fifty to one hundred yards square (or nearly square). The general shape is circular, though I think there is sufficient evidence for believing that they were originally quadrilateral in shape. However that may be, the important point is, that these aguadas, which are abundant in Yucatan, are filled with fresh water all the year. The approach is generally easy for all animals, the sides being inclined. In the dry season immense numbers of land-birds and animals go to these aguadas to drink. Birds and animals of prey find there an abundance of food ; and the hunter generally fills his game-bag with choice game in a short time, while the naturalist is generally rewarded by the finding of something good. The Jonat (tsco-not) or Senote is a deep circular opening in the earth, with perpendicular walls of limestone, generally about sixty feet high (in the region of Tizimin, and shallower towards the coast). These are of all sizes and shapes, and are filled with clear, fresh, and cool water. The senote is of unknown depth, and believed by the natives to be openings to great underground rivers. There is generally no approach except down the stony walls. The senote is often in an immense underground cave with but a narrow mouth. At the water's edge there is no place to rest, nor visible object in the deep clear waters. When open, large numbers of small birds go to the senote to drink, and especially Finches. The Vultures often build their nests in the rocky walls, also Owls and other similar birds. W h e n closed, or partly closed, or cave-like, the cave over the senote is populated with Swallows, Owls, Bats, aud Motmots. Reptiles &c. are also said to abound, sometimes in immense numbers. In the water of every senote that I have ever seen there is at least one species of fish belonging to the Siluroids. These fishes are very abundant, hundreds sometimes being visible at one time. In nearly all of the open and shallow senotes nearer the coast there is said to exist another species belonging to the scaly tribe. I have seen examples of this latter species but twice, and when I was utterly unprepared to capture and preserve them. This general distribution of the Siluroid fishes, and some experiments which I have made, prove conclusively, to m y mind, that the theory of underground rivers in Yucatan is an undoubted fact. The surface-water is all swallowed up by these senotes and by the ever thirsty land. There are no rivers |
