The noise increased as we advanced, and the birds were affrighted by the light of the torches of copal.

When this noise ceased a few minutes around us we heard at a distance the plaintive cries of the birds roosting in other ramifications of the cavern.

It seemed as if these bands answered each other alternately.
'The Indians enter into the Cueva del Guacharo once a year, near midsummer, armed with poles, by means of which they destroy the greater part of the nests.

At this season several thousands of birds are killed; and the old ones, as if to defend their brood, hover over the heads of the Indians, uttering terrible cries.

The young, which fall to the ground, are opened on the spot.