45 [ Vol. xxxviil. 
Geranospiza niger balzarensis, subsp. nov. 
Very like G. n. niger of Mexico and Central America, but 
slaty-blue, not black, above and below. Wing 290 mm. 
Type from the Balzar mountains in the Guyas Province 
of Ecuador, collected by W. Illingworth. B.M. Reg. no. 
87/5/1/176. 
Another example from the same locality and a third from 
Puna Island off the coast of Ecuador, in the neighbour- 
hood of Guayaquil in the same province, are preserved in 
the British Museum. 
Captain C. Witt1am Brzse gave a graphic account of the 
establishment and working of the Tropical Research Station 
founded by the New York Zoological Society in British 
Guiana, of which he is Directing Curator. 
The station of Kalacoon is situated at Bartica, a point 
where the Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers join the Essequibo 
river. Kalacoon is the name of a large two-storied house, 
built on a hill some 200 feet above the Mazaruni river and 
now used as the laboratory of the station, and from its 
windows can be seen the three large rivers above mentioned 
together with nine islands. To the east is a rubber planta- 
tion, and across the riyer a small group of houses forming 
a Government rest-house and penal settlement.. Beyond 
these in all directions are rolling hills, covered with tropical 
jungle containing a great abundance of wild life. No better 
spot could well be found for a Tropical Research Station, nor 
one more delicately balanced between the primitive wildness 
and those comforts of civilization which lead to health and 
the ability for work. Three times a week the station is 
visited by a small steamer bringing ice, fresh vegetables, and 
mails. Mosquitves, flies, malaria and other fevers are 
absent ; the day temperature generally varies from 68 to 
93 degrees, while the nights are cool and one needs two 
blankets. There are vampires, but a lantern turned low 
kept them away, and while béte rouge were annoying they 
were easily guarded against. It was possible to work hard 
day after day, month after month, and remain in good 
health. The one thing which was regrettable was the 
