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seem to be much better preserved). Macchu Picchu. The Sierra of Souhtern Peru has received unusually heavy rainfall this year. It rained daily in Macchu Picchu when I was there in early December last year. According to missionary friends of mine who live hear Cusco, the rains still have not abated but have actually increased in the Cusco region. There is no place to stay at Macchu Picchu except the very expensive Tourista Hotel, and the Urubamba Valley at that point now is in terrific political [[strikethrough]] form [[/strikethrough]] turmoil; the army is there in force. Local Communists daily roll rocks down upon the railroad [[strikethrough]] from [[/strikethrough]] (thr. Cusco to Macchu Picchu ^[[really]] the only route to the place). I doubt if [[underlined]] Diglossa carbonaria [[/underlined]] is still breeding there, though it was in December (they began breeding in October at Chihuata, east of Arequipa). This species is of course a very common bird in many places, including places near Lima that Maria knows extremely well. Maraynioc. The Tempe rate and Humid Temp. of this place are [[strikethrough]] of ex [[/strikethrough]] famous (it is East of Tarma in Junin) and it is the place I most wish to return [[strikethrough]] visit [[/strikethrough]] to, ^[[to]] complete my own work. But you can't get to it now, and to get to it at all you must either have a vehicle or pack animals. I was there only a few weeks ago, in my Volkswagon. The road to it is very steep, a one-way road but I think quite good; [[strikethrough]] you [[/strikethrough]] its rules of traffic are: up in the morning, down in the afternoon. As I say, you can't get to Maraynioc now, for the road must be really in bad shape at present, owing to the recent rains in the Central Sierra, the heaviest of the year. I am hoping that by [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] mid-April the situation will improve. (No busses run to Maraynioc; it is simply a hacienda located among touring meadows) I have yet to encounter [[underline]] Diglossa lafresnayii [[/underline]], so I can't help you at all there. If you're interested in [[underline]] Xenodacnis [[/underline]], I can help you; also with [[underline]] Oreomaces fraseri [[/underline]]. The relationships of these species can not help being of interest to anyone interested in [[underline]] Diglossa [[/underline]], verdad? Perhaps you will still be in Lima or nearby when I return. What I have written so far is totally inadequate, and is gloomy; too gloomy perhaps. The fact is, however, that the upper regions of the Sierra will generate serious problems for your enterprise even in the dry times, and for the next few weeks up in those regions you must be prepared to cope with almost continuous heavy rain. It is a good thing to know this, and not to under-estimate it. I think it is imperative that you travel to a place where you can have a roof over your head. At any rate, my best wishes to you. I am much interested in your studies and know from our mutual friend Gene Eisenmann that you are doing excellent work. Sincerely yours, [[signature]] Bill [[/signature]] Bill George