The Dancing Bird.
The forests of Nicaragua are the home of a dancing bird, variously called "Toledo" from its whistling note, and "Bailador," or "Dancer," from its curious jumping action. A naturalist has described their remarkable performances. Upon a bare twig about four feet from the ground, two male Bailadors were seen engaged in a song and dance. They were about eighteen inches apart, and alternately jumped two feet into the air, alighting always in the same spot. As soon as one bird alighted the other bird jumped up, their time being like clockwork in its regularity, and each "accompanying himself to the tune of 'to-le-do'—'to-le-do'—'to-le-do,' sounding the syllable 'to' as he crouched to spring, 'le' while in the air, and 'do' as he alighted." The performance was kept up for more than a minute, when the birds found they were being watched, and made off.