126 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



necked rail {Porzana albicollis) although uncommon even 

 in museums, was very ahundant about Kalacoon, and three 

 living specimens were sent to New York. Dusky parrots 

 {Pionus fuscus), lavender jays (Cyanocorax cayana), a 

 black-faced hawk [Leucopternis melanops) and Guiana 

 motmots (31 o mot us viowota) complete the list of first ac- 

 cessions. Among others were a number which have not been 

 exhibited for several years, including Dufresne's Amazon 

 parrot, red-breasted and yellow-headed blackbirds, smooth- 

 billed anis, besides yellow-headed vultures, curassows, mo- 

 riche orioles and a host of small tanagers and seed-eaters. 

 jNIany unusual frogs and toads were secured, one of 

 which was a huge specimen of the marine toad. The gro- 

 tesque sharp-nosed toad is as brightly colored as it is rare. 

 The coppery-red five-fingered frog resembles our bull-frog, 

 but the nursing frogs which carry their tadpoles on their 

 back, are quite unlike any of our Xorth American forms. 

 Others, of whose habits we know little or nothing, are the 

 mustached, the long-snouted and the white-headed frogs. 

 A five-foot electric eel was caught in the JNIazaruni almost 

 in front of Kalacoon and successfully shipped north in a 

 metal-lined case. When received full force, the shock from 

 its batteries was almost sufficient to knock a man off his feet. 



