INTRODUCTION 



Cambridge, Mass., and Dr. James Zetek of 

 the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture, this island was set aside by Governor 

 J. J. Morrow of the Canal Zone as a reserva- 

 tion, assigned to the Institute for Research 

 in Tropical America, and equipped with a 

 fine laboratory erected on an imposing site 

 overlooking Gatun Lake and the mountains 

 to the north and east. For the observation 

 of birds, animal and plant life, the island is 

 almost unsurpassed. Trails have been cut 

 through the forest so that it is possible to 

 explore remote parts of the jungle and view 

 these interesting subjects pursuing their nor- 

 mal life in the conditions of their primeval 

 habitat, uninfluenced by the effects of civili- 

 zation. 



Yet this reservation is not extensive enough 

 to afford a permanent sanctuary to the many 

 species of large forest animals and birds that 

 now inhabit it, unless extended by coopera- 

 tion of the Canal Zone and Panamanian gov- 

 ernments to include a considerable area of 

 the wild and well forested country on the 

 west side of the lake. By so doing, a really 

 effective sanctuary, capable of permanently 

 protecting most of the larger species, both of 

 birds and animals, could be established. 



TRAFFIC IN CAGE BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS 



The subject of the destruction of the bird 

 and animal life of this region should not be 

 passed by without some comment on the 

 needless cruelty, and almost invariable death 

 under most pitiful circumstances which 



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