E.Heske 1981 Journal January 25.8mi SW Tuxtepec to Vista Hermosa Oaxaca, Mexico Continued to a pt. ~ 1km N (by rd) of Vista Hermosa, a small settlement about half way between Valle Nacional and Ixtlan de Juarez. Pulled off the road to finish stuffing a batch of P.mexicanus, but discovered the car wouldn't start afterwards (lights had been left on - battery low). Duke + I walked up to Vista Hermosa, but no help there. I stayed w/ the car & flagged down the occasional passing vehicles until one with jumper cables was located while Duke took 40 traps and went to set them on the S. side of Vista Hermosa (see D.S. Roge's notes for habitat, trap site). The area we have been driving through has lots of tree ferns, vines, fairly dense growth along the road sides. Elev. ~1000m. It is raining or misty continuously (all afternoon + evening so far) as well as cold (T°~10°C.) and windy. Very uncomfortable. Plan to camp here tonight then head for even higher elevations. Miserable weather, but had a good dinner (bought a roasted chicken in Tuxtepec!) Helped skin 8 P.mex that died during the day before turning in. Poor tent - (poor us.) 3 January Vista Hermosa to 5.2mi NE (by rd) El Machin, Oaxaca, Mexico Arose ~0700. Sunny, clouds rapidly disappearing, warming quickly. Spread everything out on the car to dry + made breakfast while Duke checked his traps. He caught 8 P.mexicanus, 8 Oryzomys caudatus (?), 2 Heteromys /40traps.