48 THE AMFJilCAX MUSEUM .lOlliSAL 



montlis the expedition had from 300 to 500 traps set and daily re\ised. 

 The Manijbctu have cHsplayed remarkable skill in eaj)tiMii)f: tIic smaller 

 mammals with their own native traps. 



A colleetion of lySS,') birds eovering 290 species is aeeonipaiiicd by full 

 and exact data. N ery many of the species are represented not only by 

 both sexes, but also by a series of young in diffen^nt plumag(;s. A large 

 number of nests and sets of eggs lia\c been secured. The most interesting 

 of the nests is that of the largest hornbill (CcraUnuptnins). It was the desire 

 of Mr. Chapman to have a group showing the peculiar habit these birds have 

 of enclosing the female by a plaster of iiukI. Wc were foriuuate to secure 

 remarkably fine accessories, also the inale and female birds and the young. 

 The nest was located at a distance of about 70 feet from the ground in a 

 tree over 130 feet liigli. The tree was felled and a sufficiently long portion 

 cut out and sawed into sections for transportation. Twenty color .sketches 

 of l)ir<ls have been prej)ared, among which are the hoinl^ills for the group. 



For the Department of Anthropology an interesting collection of 700 

 specimens has been gathered from the Mangbetu, the mo.st highly cultured 

 natives of these regions. I"\dl data giving necessary explanations with 

 regard to use, habit, custom or l)elief have been entered in the cat;dogue. 

 Besides, a great number of photographs show the many phases of dail\ 

 life, such as village scenes, dances, social gatherings and ceremonials. Ex- 

 cellent portraits and plaster casts have been gained. Several of the remark- 

 ably elaborate hairdresses of both men and women have also been ol)tained 

 in perfectly intact condition. 



The Mangbetu excel in their iron work; indeed their well-forged and 

 finely-worked knives are masterpieces of negro l)lacksmithing. Their 

 pottery in its best samples reminds one of ancient Greek work. In produc- 

 ing well-balanced forms of artistic finish they show a very high de\elop- 

 ment. Their carved and ornamented stools, benches, figures and shields, 

 and their hat-pins of ivory may well be classed among works of art. 



A Pygmy child's skeleton is obtained, and shows a very interesting 

 lengthening of the skull, produced l)y the connnon liabit among the 

 IMangbetu fadopted l)y the Pygmies who are attached to tlieir villages') of 

 using bandages about X\w neu-boni cliild'-^ head. Pliotograj)!!- showing 

 this practice have been taken. 



I take pleasure in repeating from the rcjjort of X()\t'nil)er 21), 1!)()9, the 

 statement that the cooperation of the Belgian Government is most cordial, 

 and that all the officers have assisted us according to their position or our 

 needs. 



