PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 397 
man of unusual intelligence and enterprise, is conducting what might 
be called an experimental farm, and has made a veritable oasis in the 
gloomy wilds of the dense, virgin forests which cover the entire basin 
of the San Juan Del Norte. 
“Los Sabalos” contains about the only cultivated ground between 
San Carlos, on the lake, and “El Castillo,” on the river, a distance of 
about forty miles. It is situated at the junction of the San Juan and a 
large tributary stream. Here Mr. Lange is raising rubber, cacao, plan- 
tains, bananas, oranges, cocoanuts, bread fruif, ‘‘ marafions,” corn, beans, 
and potatoes, besides a number of other vegetables, the names of which 
I do not know. 
I am thus particular in speaking of his work because the experiment 
of raising all these fruits, many of them entirely new to the region, isa 
matter of practical and scientific interest to the world at large. 
Here Mr. Lange, a veritable ‘ Robinson Crusoe,” is absolutely ‘‘mon- 
arch of all he surveys,” and almost entirely independent of the outside 
world, for, besides the fruits and vegetables mentioned, the river yields 
an abundance of excellent fish (principally shad) and lobsters, and the 
surrounding forests afford plenty of meat in the shape of deer, peccary, 
gnatousa, curassow, tinamou, and many other edible mammals and birds. 
There are also hot springs on his land to which medicinal virtues are 
ascribed. 
As a field for the ornithologist “ Los Sabalos” surpasses by far any 
region the writer has ever visited. Three weeks’ collecting at this point 
resulted in the securing of six entirely new and distinct species of birds. 
That is, one new species for every thirty skins secured! Such a col- 
lecting ground should certainly receive more attention. 
The most prominent characteristics of the avifauna of this region 
may be briefly summarized as follows; but it must be borne in mind 
that a more thorough exploration may modify or even reverse conclu- 
sions, which are little more than speculations based upon imperfect ex- 
plorations. 
The Zroglodytide, Tanagride, Fringillide, Dendrocolaptide, Formi- 
eariide, and Trochilide are the families most abundantly represented. 
The Sylviide, Icteride, Tyrannide, Cotingidea, Momotidea, Alcedinide, 
Rhamphastida, Psittacide, Fulconide, Columbidea, and Cracide are or- 
dinarily well represented. The remaining families are poorly repre- 
sented, and in some cases seem to be entirely wanting. 
On account of my time in this region being very limited, little atten- 
tion was given to the various water birds, which seem to be abundant. 
Fam. TURDIDZ. 
1. Merula grayi (Bp.). 
Common... One specimen. 
