FIELD WORK IN COLOMBIA 



NEW BIRD COLLECTIONS BEAR DIRECTLY ON THE PROBLEM OF THE ORIGIN AND 

 DISTRIBUTION OF BIRD LIFE IN TROPICAL AMERICA — MATERIAL OB- 

 TAINED FOR A HABITAT GROUP OF THE FAMOUS " COCK-OF-THE-ROCK" ^ 



Bi/ Frintl: M, Chapman 



THE last report- published of the work of the Colombian expedition 

 left Messrs. Allen and Miller, with their native assistants, in the 

 Quindio region of the Central Andes, where collections of birds and 

 mammals had been made up to the lower limit of perpetual snow, at an 

 altitude of about 15,000 feet. In November, 1911, they returned to the 

 Cauca Valley to explore the primitive forests which exist in the vicinity of 

 Rio Frio, and the collections made here supply important data on the origin 

 of the life of the valley. 



Early in December a start was made from Cartago, in the Cauca Valley, 

 toward Xovita on the Rio San Juan, west of the coastal Andes. Supplies and 

 outfit were transported on oxen for the first two days but for the remaining 

 six, Indian carriers were employed, the trail being impassable for either 

 mules or oxen. Rain fell almost constantl}^ during this journey and while the 

 party was in the San Juan region, nevertheless many specimens new to the 

 Museum and others new to science were secured, the fauna of the west side of 

 the Coast Range being totally different from that found on its eastern side. 



The return to headquarters at Call was made by way of Buenaventura 

 and at this time the expedition was greatly assisted by Mr. D. C. Stapleton, 

 a fellow of the Museum, whom the expedition fortunately encountered and 

 who transported the men and their outfit to Buenaventura on his launch. 



Exposure to the unhealthful conditions which prevail in the coast region 

 resulted in both Messrs. Allen and Miller falling victims to severe attacks 

 of fever, and the month of January was passed in Call where medical at- 

 tendance could be secured. In March they were sufficiently reco\ered to 

 resume exploration along lines previously planned, and they left Cali for 

 Popayan en route for the headwaters of the Magdalena. As is shown in 

 the accompanying map, this zoologically little-known part of South America 

 was reached by way of Almaguer over a foot-trail through a region difficult 

 of passage but of great interest. 



After no little hardship San Agustin was reached early in .Vpril and here 

 Mr. Allen, whose fever had returned with increased severit\-, was obliged to 

 leave for Bogota for treatment and was subsequently sent back to America, 

 while Mr. ^Miller, who had planned to return home for a well-earned 

 vacation, decided to remain alone and explore the most promising field the 

 expedition had thus far entered. 



' The cock-of-the-rock of the genus Rupicola is about the size of a partridge. Well- 

 known to former explorers, the species has been locally destroyed because of the high 

 decorative value of its flame-colored plumage. Mr. Leo E. Miller has found the bird in 

 the wilds of the Naranjos River. 



• Am. Mus. Journal, Dec, 1911, pp. 295-298. 316 



