182 J. Dclacour—Notes of a Bircl-lover in Tropical America


Kartabo


The creation in 1916 by the Zoological Society of New York of a

station for tropical research in British Guiana was an event of

considerable importance in the annals of Natural History. Nothing

analogous to it had up till then been attempted in Zoology.


Mr. William Beebe, Curator of Birds of the Zoological Park of New

York, had volunteered to serve in the Great War in France in the Flying

Corps, and when finally, after being disabled and passed as unfit for

further active service, he regretfully abandoned the" battlefields, he was

appointed Director of the proposed Station of Tropical Research

and charged with its organization. Amongst his numerous publications,

Mr. Beebe has described to us the founding of the Kartabo Station,

and has kept us continuously interested in his thrilling work ; and more,

his graphic style has brought wonderfully to the minds of the inhabitants

of chilly Europe and of the States of North America the marvellous life

in the tropics, for Mr. Beebe has the pen of a scientist and of a writer.


It was, then, a real joy to me to accept the invitation which he sent

me, knowing that I was in his part of the world, to go and spend a few

days with him. From Georgetown, crossing the Demerara, 'and then

traversing the coastal district, one reaches the Essequibo. The majestic

river has the appearance of a sea, for the opposite bank (16 kilometres)

is hardly visible in the misty atmosphere which generally prevails in

the Guianas.


A steamer carried me, travelling up the great river, which does not

differ from other watercourses of the Guianas, except in its more vast

proportions. After some hours’ navigation, we reached its confluence

with the Mazaruni, and, immediately after, the junction of that river

with the Cuyuni. The three vast currents appear to join at the same

point and to form a magnificent lake, surrounded by the giant forest.


Three promontories push themselves out; to the right is the Penal

Settlement, where one lands ; to the left Bartica Grove and Kalacoon,

the former seat of the Research Station ; and in front, on a sharp point

of land which separates the Mazaruni from the Cuyuni River, is Kartabo,

where the American naturalists now have their dwelling. The Research

Station is not luxuriously installed ; an old and simple colonial house,

encircled by its verandah and small tents, whilst all round grow giant



