y, or rabbit, frequents the same region as the
paca, and is about the size of an ordinary hare. It does not, however,
run in the same way, but moves by frequent leaps. The jaguar ranges
through the whole of this part of the continent, and is remarkable for
its large size and great strength. Not only does it frequently kill
full-grown cattle, and drag them to its lair far-away in the woods, but,
if irritated, it does not hesitate to attack human beings. The
tiger-cat, or ocelot, which much resembles a common cat, but is
considerably larger, is also found in the forest; but at the sight of
man it takes to flight, and is, therefore, less frequently seen than its
fiercer relatives. The puma also makes its way from one end of the
country to the other; but though destructive to cattle, it is said here,
as elsewhere, to fly from the face of man. The savage wolf, the cayote,
is frequently met with.

A considerable number of the birds of South America, or of allied
species, are found in many parts of the country. This is the home of
the resplendent trogon, called the quetzal--the imperial bird of the
Quiches. It, however, has but a limited range, being found only in the
mountains of Merendon in Honduras, and in the department of
Quezaltenango in Guatemala. There are numerous varieties of the parrot
tribe, many of them of the most magnificent description with regard to
their colouring. Here, also, the forests are adorned with the gay
plumage of the red and blue macaws, as also by a toucan with a yellow
tail. It is remarkable not only for its bright colour, but for its
curious pendent nests, of which frequently fifty are seen hanging
together from the branch of a single tree. Among the birds of prey, the
ever-present turkey-buzzard and other vultures, hawks, owls, and
sea-eagles, are common; as is the Mexican jay, the ring-bird, the
rice-bird, swallow, and numerous varieties of humming-birds. Among the
water birds are the pelican, the muscovy, and black duck; the
spoon-bill, plover, curlew, teal, darter; while herons, ibises, and
cranes, are found in great numbers on the shores of the lagoons and
rivers. In the interior of the country the splendid Honduras turkey, as
well as the curassow, and several varieties of the wood-pigeon and dove,
as also the partridge, quail, and snipe, exist in abundance.

Of the reptile tribes, alligators of great size are found in nearly all
the lagoons and rivers. There is an infinite