then returning to its perch, and never going on the ground to feed or run about.  But it nests in burrows which it digs itself, one bird usually digging, while the other bird perches in a bush near by.  Sometimes these burrows are in the side of a sand-bank, the sand being so loose that it is a marvel that it does not cave in.  Sometimes the burrows are in the level plain, running down about three feet, and then rising at an angle.  The nest consists of a few leaves and grasses, and the eggs are white.  The other bird, called a nun or waxbill, is about the size of a thrush, grayish in color, with a waxy red bill.  It also burrows in the level soil, the burrow being five feet long; and over the mouth of the burrow it heaps a pile of sticks and leaves.

At this camp the heat was great—­from 91 to 104 Fahrenheit—­and the air very heavy, being saturated with moisture; and there were many rain-storms.  But there were no mosquitoes, and we were very comfortable.  Thanks to the neighborhood of the ranch, we fared sumptuously, with plenty of beef, chickens, and fresh milk.  Two of the Brazilian dishes were delicious:  canja, a thick soup of chicken and rice, the best soup a hungry man ever tasted; and beef chopped in rather small pieces and served with a well-flavored but simple gravy.  The mule allotted me as a riding-beast was a powerful animal, with easy gaits.  The Brazilian Government had waiting for me a very handsome silver-mounted saddle and bridle; I was much pleased with both.  However, my exceedingly rough and shabby clothing made an incongruous contrast.

At Tapirapoan we broke up our baggage—­as well as our party.  We sent forward the Canadian canoe—­which, with the motor-engine and some kerosene, went in a cart drawn by six oxen—­and a hundred sealed tin cases of provisions, each containing rations for a day for six men.  They had been put up in New York under the special direction of Fiala, for use when we got where we wished to take good and varied food in small compass.  All the skins, skulls, and alcoholic specimens, and all the baggage not absolutely necessary, were sent back down the Paraguay and to New York, in charge of Harper.  The separate baggage-trains, under the charge of Captain Amilcar, were organized to go in one detachment.  The main body of the expedition, consisting of the American members, and of Colonel Rondon, Lieutenant Lyra, and Doctor Cajazeira, with their baggage and provisions, formed another detachment.

        VI.  Through the highland wilderness of western Brazil