Title: The American Museum journal
Identifier: americanmuseumjo17amer (find matches)
Year: c1900-(1918) (c190s)
Authors: American Museum of Natural History
Subjects: Natural history
Publisher: New York : American Museum of Natural History
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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A SEARCH FOR SCYTALOPUS ig: of rope. iVfter a number of days, how- ever, a narrow fissure was discovered leading to one of the ravines from whicli came faint bird calls that we at once recognized with a fair degree of certainty. On account of the high alti- tude and tangled plant life it was slow, tiring work to follow along the bottom of the jagged gash; there was also the unpleasant possibility of breaking through the matted brush and falling into deep crevices among the rocks. As we struggled along slowly, high- pitched whistling calls rang clear and loud from numerous points nearby, but still it seemed as if our efforts might be of no avail; for among that chaos of vegetation it was impossible to move without causing great disturb- ance and frightening the birds away. Then there recurred to us the old say- ing about Mahomet and the mountain and we resorted to quiet concealment. Presently there was a crisp little chirp and a rustle among the mosses a few yards away; one, two, five minutes passed; then a minute, shadowy form darted out of the darkness, perched on a moss-covered bowlder, and turned a pair of bright, inquisitive eyes upon the strange monsters which had invaded its snug retreat. The white throat gleamed conspicuously among the deep green surroundings as the bird paused a moment to complete its inspection; then up went the short, barred tail, straight into the air, and a succession of low, scolding notes emanated from the feathered mite as it hopped about in angry excitement. We found that the bird existed in numbers; once we had discovered a way of entering its stronghold, it was possible to make the desired studies. Thus our difficult search, covering so many hundreds of miles, came to a pleasant and successful close.
Text Appearing After Image:
Sci/taloinis, thf tiny, w;iry bird in scarcli of wiiicli th(> Soutli Anifrican l-Api'ditiou of tlie Ameri- can Museum traveled many iiundreds of miles. Sci/talopus was finally discovered on the cold, bleak jinrnmo above Tafi del Valle, Argentina. Drawn for the -Tovexal by Mr. Henry Thurston

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