TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 75 



we have every reason to believe. The wild animal clearing sta- 

 tions of the world are well stocked with rarities which await 

 only the opportunity to swell our collections. 



During the latter part of 1919, a few shipments slipped 

 through. Two of these were from India and brought us the first 

 supply of Asiatic birds we have received since 1914. Included 

 were Indian pittas (Pitta brachyura) , blue-cheeked and green 

 barbels {Cyanops asiatica and Thereiceryx zeylanicus) , Indian 

 golden orioles (Oriolus kundoo), golden-fronted green bulbuls 

 (Chloropsis aurifrons) and a wonderful albinistic Indian ring- 

 necked parrakeet {Palaeornis torquata), with plumage of pure 

 and dazzling golden yellow. 



From Para, in November, there came a long-expected ship- 

 ment of Brazilian birds, imported by a local dealer. Among 

 them were toco, Cuvier and sulphur-and-white-breasted toucans 

 (RhampJiastos toco, R. ciilminatus cnvicri and R. rifcUunis) , the 

 first arrivals in many years; the rare short-tailed parrots {Gray- 

 dadisculus brachyurus) ; a pair of horned screamers (Palamedea 

 cornuta) ; brilliant scarlet ibises (Guam rubra) and roseate 

 spoonbills (Ajaja ajaia) and Brazilian hawk-headed parrots 

 (Deroptyus accipitrinus f'uscif)-o)is). 



The Tropical Research Station sent us a number of birds, 

 including a white-collared hawk (Leucopternis melanops) , a 

 great crested cacique (Ostinops decumanus) , two gray-winged 

 trumpeters (Psophia crepitans) and a very fine cock-of-the-rock 

 (Rupicola rupicola) , the second of the species we have exhibited. 



Early in January we secured three immature specimens of 

 the South American black-backed goose or comb duck (Sarci- 

 dioruis sylricola). These birds are the first of the species we 

 have had, and coming from Venezuela, establish a new northern 

 limit of distribution. 



About the first of the year, we received word from the 

 ostrich farm at Bloomsburg, Pa., that it was in difficulties and 

 wished to dispose of its birds at any price. The Curator left 

 for Bloomsburg at once and selected a fine cock South African 

 ostrich (Struthio austirdis) and five North African hens (S. 

 camelus) . All were unusually perfect specimens and were ob- 

 tained at $25 each, a fraction of their market value. Within two 

 days crates were constructed and the birds packed. They reached 



