McuQo^c Expedition to the Philippines 165 



we could frequently g^t birds that are usually very difficult to 

 obtain. This time the trees were not fruiting, and that advantage 

 was lost to us. We did obtain' however three birds that we feel 

 sure are new, and this more than repaid the loss of the known 

 birds. We were enabled to add several to the known list of Siimar 

 birds. 



An unusually good set of the large hornbills from Samar, 

 including both skins and skeletons, was secured. Our good for- 

 tune in capturing these birds was largely due to the discovery, 

 by our Philippine hunter, Mateo, that these birds will answer to 

 a call. The call is an imitation of their own note, being a short 

 *1iaw" given in a deep bass and very short. It was very amusing 

 to hear the replies of the birds and see them come flying down 

 to find out the cause of all the disturbance. We also secured a 

 good series of the smaller hornbill Penelopides. 



On our arrival in Manila, we made the exchange with the 

 Jesuit Museum and secured a fine collection of shells, Moro arms 

 and utensils, native idols, charms, etc. We were much pleased 

 to get hold of this material, as most of it is very valuable and 

 difficult to obtain. 



We have' just made another shipment of sixteen cases, four 

 kegs and one bundle. You will find in this shipment the birds 

 collected during the last three months; alcoholics, including all 

 of the specimens of the pearly Nautilus collected by Mr. Wor- 

 cester in Negros ; the Venus' flower basket from Cebu ; a large 

 number of land shells from Negros, Cebu and Samar; all of the 

 material obtained by exchange; a lot of bows, arrows, etc., from 

 Mindoro and Culion, and a collection of pottery purchased in 

 Manila. The shipment is a valuable one and will interest not only 

 the members of the Academy but others as well. 



It was our intention, when we reached Manila, to go directly 

 to North Luzon and the Babuyanes and Batanes islands; but 

 we learned that during the rainy season we could not work to 

 advantage, so we were compelled to change our plans entirely. 



Mr. Worcester, with Mateo, goes to Romblon, Sibuyan and 

 Tablas, then back to Manila and down to Culion and, about Jan- 

 uary first, up to North Luzon and the adjacent islands. I go to 

 Sulu, Tataan (Tawi Tawi), Cagayan de Sulu, and then without 

 returning to Manila cross over to Singapore and into Borneo. 



