PREFACE 



In this volume my object is two-fold. First, to deline- 

 ate as concisely and vividly as lies in my power, the general 

 aspects of the tropical jungle and its animal life as far as 

 these came under our observation, and to emphasize the mani- 

 fold interest and the paucity of dangers which it offers to 

 the scientist or nature-lover. To put it in another way, I 

 have attempted a resume of the grosser, more apparent 

 characteristics of the region which we have been studying, 

 to form a background, however sketchy and unfinished, for 

 the more intensive, concrete investigations which follow, as 

 well as those which may be undertaken in the future. 



Secondly, I present the studies which my two co-work- 

 ers and myself have been enabled to carry on during six 

 months of the current year, 1916, from March to August 

 inclusive, at the Tropical Research Station established under 

 the auspices of the New York Zoological Society. It thus 

 represents that portion of the first year's work, which is 

 available for present publication. 



At the request of Prof. Henry Fairfield Osborn I took 

 charge of the Tropical Research Station as Directing Cur- 

 ator. With me went G. Inness Hartley as Research Asso- 

 ciate, Paul G. Howes as Research Assistant and Donald 

 Carter as Collector. Two artists, Miss Rachel Hartley and 

 Miss Anna H. Taylor completed our party. Whatever 

 success has attended this first year of work is due to the unsel- 

 fish interest and thoughtful co-operation of all the members. 



Compared with the problems still to be solved and the 

 researches of the future, our efforts seem like the scratch of 

 a single dredge along 'the bottom of an unknown ocean. 

 This contribution is intended to arouse interest in dynamic 

 and sustained field observation in the tropics, and to dispel 

 some of the groundless fears which, in the minds of intend- 



