rAuk 

 252 Notes and News. |_Jan. 



Several American naturalists are at present making collections of 

 birds and mammals in different parts of Venezuela and other portions of 

 northern South America, Mr. M. A. Carriker, Jr., being in northern Vene- 

 zuela in the interests of the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh and the 

 American Museum of Natural History, and Mr. Wilfred H. Osgood in the 

 interest of the Field Museum of Chicago; Mr. William B. Richardson 

 is collecting in western Colombia for the American Museum, and the Acad- 

 emy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia will soon have representatives 

 in eastern Venezuela. Mr. S. H. Rhoads is also about to visit Ecuador to 

 collect mammals and birds in the higher parts of the Andes. 



For some time past a Biological Survey of the Panama Canal Zone has 

 been under consideration, to be carried out under the direction of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. The plans for the survey having now been 

 matured, and the necessary financial support secured, several well-known 

 biologists are already on their way to begin the work. The importance 

 of such a survey is evident, the fauna and flora of the region being at 

 present not well known, while it is certain that considerable changes must 

 result from the completion of the canal, when the organisms of the various 

 watersheds will be able to mingle, and existing biologic conditions be 

 considerably modified. In order to determine the nature and extent of 

 these changes it is necessary to secure full knowledge of the present fauna 

 and flora In carrying forward the survey the gathering of birds and 

 mammals will be under the direction of Mr. E. A. Goldman of the Bio- 

 logical Survey; Mr. S. E. Meek, of the Field Museum of Chicago, and Mr. 

 S F Hildebrand of the Bureau of Fisheries will have charge of the field 

 work in connection with reptiles and fishes, and also make collections of 

 mollusks and crustaceans; Messrs. E. A. Schwartz and Mr. August Busck 

 of the U. S. National Museum and the Bureau of Entomology will be in 

 charge of the entomological work, and other departments will be in charge 

 of experts from other Government Bureaus. It is to be hoped that the 

 survey will be well sustained financially, and the results of the work all 

 that could be desired. 



