196 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1901. 



of coloring or some bizarre style of plumage or ornamental append- 

 ages. The holy-ghost bird ( Carpodectes nitidus), of the same family, 

 is almost pure white, with a delicate wash of blue on the upper sur- 

 face, and an innocent, dove-like expression. Examples of these and 

 many other striking forms of the cotinga family were exhibited. 



About 150 specimens of hummingbirds were shown in a special ease, 

 representing many of the more interesting species of this exclusively 

 American family. Though diminutive in size and occupying but little 

 space, the gem-like brilliancy of their plumage outshone the larger 

 birds. 



EEPTILES AND BATRACHIANS. 



The exhibit of these classes of American animals included the largest 

 and most characteristic species of which specimens could be obtained. 

 The series consisted entirely of painted plaster casts on bases, with 

 accessories, suggesting the natural environment or habits of the various 

 species. 



One of the largest and most interesting specimens was the turtle 

 known as the alligator snapper. This turtle is found in the South- 

 western United States. It is the largest species of fresh-water turtle 

 now existing, and is only surpassed in the class Testudinata by the 

 giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands. The specimen exhibited is 

 the largest one of the species of which there is any record, and hence 

 the largest American fresh-water turtle thus far known. (Plate 18.) 

 The shell is 29| inches long and M4 inches wide. It was obtained in 

 southern Texas. Other interesting American turtles exhibited were 

 the snapping turtle, the curious soft-shelled turtle, the box tortoise, 

 etc. A very good specimen of one of the large Galapagos Island land 

 tortoises was also exhibited. Specimens of the mata-mata of Brazil, 

 the most grotesque turtle known, and the large Amazon River turtle 

 were also prepared, but could not be exhibited for lack of space. 



The poisonous snakes of North America were represented by the 

 diamond rattlesnake {Crotalxis adamantetbs), the largest and most poi- 

 sonous American species; the well-known copperhead, and the water 

 moccasin, or cotton mouth, which is much dreaded in the Southern 

 States. 



The larger but nonpoisonous snakes of tropical America were rep- 

 resented by the boas. (Plate 16.) The Museum was fortunate enough 

 to obtain specimens of the yellow boa of Jamaica, the Cuban boa 

 (known as the Ma/a de Santa Maria), which is the largest snake of the 

 West Indies, and the well-known boa constrictor of South America. 

 Of the last, a beautiful cast of a specimen 12 feet long and also a cast 

 of a young individual were exhibited. The Cuban and Jamaica boas 

 could not be exhibited on account of reduction of space. Several of 



