70 Zoologica: N. Y. Zoological Society. [I; 3 



covy ducks, scarlet ibises, snake-birds, martins, tree swallows, 

 cream-headed hawks and vultures. The mangrove blossoms at- 

 tract numbers of insects, and we found such birds as Todiros- 

 trum maculatum and Dacnis bicolor near the gulf edge, many 

 miles from dry land. 



Small and medium sized crocodiles, pale gray in color, were 

 not uncommon in the brackish zone and were the only reptiles 

 observed. Tree-toads were heard here, but no Amphibians were 

 observed or collected. 



Fish were abundant, and if they had been the object of our 

 search we could have secured many species. 



At the turn of each tide thousands of medium-sized catfish 

 (Pseudauchenipterus nodosus), would come alongside the boat 

 and remain motionless for about an hour, all, like the sloop, 

 facing the current. They would bite at anything from a piece 

 of red cloth to a bit of raw yam. 



With meat for bait we could catch large catfish, twelve to 

 twenty-four inches in length, yellowish, with a very long spine 

 on the dorsal and pectoral fins. This is known as the crucifix 

 fish, from the striking resemblance of the interior of the dorsal 

 cephalic armor to a human figure on a cross. It is a delicious 

 food fish. The most abundant and interesting fish of the man- 

 grove swamps is the four-eye (Anableps anableps). 



The mangrove fiddler crab was by far the most abundant 

 form of invertebrate life, swarming over the roots and lower 

 portion of the stems. A small mollusk (Neritina) , came next in 

 point of numbers. A few biting flies annoyed us now and then 

 during the day, and at night Anopheles in swarms hummed out- 

 side our netting. 



Part III. — General Character of the Mainland Forest and 



THE Pitch Lake. 



As soon as the mangroves give place to a more mixed 

 growth, and at La Brea, far beyond the influence of the tides, 

 the character of the flora and fauna changes radically. 



Among the mammals we find sloths, agoutis, ocelots, jaguars 

 and pumas appearing. The agoutis and pumas had half-grown 

 young at the time of our visit, in early April. Tree porcupines 

 and kinkajous were observed, besides peccaries, pacas and deer, 

 and several species of opossums. The four latter animals pene- 

 trate far into the swampy and marshy brackish areas, while the 

 others keep altogether to solid ground. 



