TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 15 
we have every reason to believe. The wild animal clearing sta- 
tions of the world are well stocked with rarities which await 
only the opportunity to swell our collections. 
During the latter part of 1919, a few shipments slipped 
through. Two of these were from India and brought us the first 
supply of Asiatic birds we have received since 1914. Included 
were Indian pittas (Pitta brachyura), blue-cheeked and green 
barbets (Cyanops asiatica and Thereiceryx zeylanicus), Indian 
golden orioles (Oriolus kundoo), golden-fronted green bulbuls 
(Chloropsis aurifrons) and a wonderful albinistic Indian ring- 
necked parrakeet (Palaeornis torquata), with plumage of pure 
and dazzling golden yellow. 
From Para, in November, there came a long-expected ship- 
ment of Brazilian birds, imported by a local dealer. Among 
them were toco, Cuvier and sulphur-and-white-breasted toucans 
(Rhamphastos toco, R. culminatus cuvieri and R. vitellinus), the 
first arrivals in many years; the rare short-tailed parrots (Gray- 
dadisculus brachyurus) ; a pair of horned screamers (Palamedea 
cornuta) ; brilliant scarlet ibises (Guara rubra) and roseate 
spoonbills (Ajaja ajaia) and Brazilian hawk-headed parrots 
(Deroptyus accipitrinus fuscifrons) . 
The Tropical Research Station sent us a number of birds, 
including a white-collared hawk (Leucopternis melanops), a 
great crested cacique (Ostinops decumanus), two gray-winged 
trumpeters (Psophia crepitans) and a very fine cock-of-the-rock 
(Rupicola rupicola), the second of the species we have exhibited. 
Karly in January we secured three immature specimens of 
the South American black-backed goose or comb duck (Sarci- 
diornis sylvicola). These birds are the first of the species we 
have had, and coming from Venezuela, establish a new northern 
limit of distribution. 
About the first of the year, we received word from the 
ostrich farm at Bloomsburg, Pa., that it was in difficulties and 
wished to dispose of its birds at any price. The Curator left 
for Bloomsburg at once and selected a fine cock South African 
ostrich (Struthio australis) and five North African hens (S. 
camelus). All were unusually perfect specimens and were ob- 
tained at $25 each, a fraction of their market value. Within two 
days crates were constructed and the birds packed. They reached 
