PREFACE 



THIS is an account of a zoogeographic reconnoissance 

 through the Brazilian hinterland. 



The official and proper title of the expedition is that 

 given it by the Brazilian Government: Expedicao Scien- 

 tifica Roosevelt-Rondon. When I started from the United 

 States, it was to make an expedition, primarily concerned 

 with mammalogy and ornithology, for the American Mu- 

 seum of Natural History of New York. This was under- 

 taken under the auspices of Messrs. Osborn and Chapman, 

 acting on behalf of the Museum. In the body of this 

 work I describe how the scope of the expedition was en- 

 larged, and how it was given a geographic as well as a zoo- 

 logical character, in consequence of the kind proposal of 

 the Brazilian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Gen- 

 eral Lauro Miiller. In its altered and enlarged form the 

 expedition was rendered possible only by the generous 

 assistance of the Brazilian Government. Throughout the 

 body of the work will be found reference after reference 

 to my colleagues and companions of the expedition, whose 

 services to science I have endeavored to set forth, and for 

 whom I shall always feel the most cordial friendship and 

 regard. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT. 



SAGAMORE HILL, 



September I, 1914. 



