202 Brewster and Chapmax on Trinidad Birds. Flulv 



is not alone the richness of the fauna which leads us to recom- 

 mend Trinidad as an exceptionally favorable field for the natu- 

 ralist with limited time at his command. Its additional advan- 

 tages are : accessibility, a healthy, in fact during the dry season^ 

 from December to May, perfect climate; the safety and material 

 comforts which one is sure of finding in a British colony ; and 

 a Naturalists' Field Club whose members, as we know from 

 pleasant experiences, will cordially receive brother naturalists. It 

 is evident then that a trip to the tropics, far from being an under- 

 taking involving much time and risk of life, may be an excursion 

 from which one may return in two or three months richer both 

 physically and mentally. 



From New York to Port-of-Spain, by the direct line of steamers, 

 is a voyage of nine days, or occasionally a steamer of the Wind- 

 ward Island line continues from Barbadoes, the usual terminus, to 

 Trinidad. The latter is by far the more enjoyable sail and, 

 taking only six days longer, gives one an opportunity to land at a 

 dozen or more islands en route. 



Port-of-Spain possesses fair hotels and stores which will 

 compare favorably with those of our larger cities. Black 

 Vultures swarm in the streets, and many birds, notably the 

 Qu'-est-ce-qu'il-dit {^Pitangus siilphuratiis) and Ani {Crotophaga 

 ani), are common in the Botanic Gardens and neighboring 

 savannas. Indeed the ornithologist will find much to interest 

 him in the immediate vicinity of the city, but he should lose no 

 time in hastening to the virgin forests, or 'high woods,' as they 

 are locally known, where birds may be studied under absolutely 

 natural conditions. The government rest-house on the Moruga 

 Road, kept by Corporal and Mrs. Stoute, was Mr. Chapman's 

 headquarters during March and April, 1893, and from every point 

 of view leaves nothing to be desired. In fact, we doubt if there 

 exists a place elsewhere in the tropics where for a small compen- 

 sation a naturalist may find so thoroughly comfortable a home, 

 with the best of food and attention, at the border of a primaeval 

 forest. 



We, however, were even more fortunate, for in accepting the 

 invitation of Mr. Albert B. Carr to visit him at his cacao estate in 

 the Caparo district we found not only a delightful home in a 



