J. Delacour—Notes of a Bird-lover in Tropical America 183


bamboos at least 100 feet high, and in front of the house there opens up

the splendid panorama of the confluence of the rivers, with the Essequibo

in the background. The house itself is used as a store, the verandah

as a laboratory and dining-room, and the tents as bedrooms.


But what an excellent situation for studying the fauna ; at the back

of the house a trail, which served as a path to a gold mine, pierces the

thick jungle ; a very few paces and one finds oneself in the heart of

nature in the midst of most strange creatures ; the rivers themselves

containing and enclosing all kinds of curious life.


The Director had as his companions naturalists who are experts in

their several branches, as well as artists for drawing and photographing

the birds and animals. The organization of this laboratory of the

virgin forest, where nothing but living or freshly-killed examples are

studied, does Mr. Beebe the very greatest credit and fills one with

admiration. Hard work is the rule at Kartabo, from 6 a.m. until

nightfall and even later, with little time for regular meals. The results

are remarkable ; all the living creatures of the region, from worms

to mammals, are captured, measured, drawn, photographed, and

thoroughly studied at all periods of their existence, being examined

most thoroughly from all aspects and from every possible point of view.

And thus the mystery of the tropical life of the Guianas is slowly

solved.


As far as the birds are concerned, Mr. Beebe has set himself the task

of observing their habits and of throwing light on the question of the

development of species of which little is known and which are most

interesting, such as the Hoatzin, the Toucans, the Trumpeters, the

Curassows, Tinamous, etc., etc.


I left Kartabo at the end of a week, enchanted with the cordial

welcome which I received, and with the fine work accomplished and

the excellent organization of the Research Station.


I wish all naturalists could go there ; for they would carry away an

exact idea of nature in the tropics, and would understand how it is

possible to establish a laboratory in the midst of the virgin forest,

to gather together scientists and artists, and there on the spot to

thoroughly study all the manifestations of life to be found.


One cannot too heartily congratulate the Zoological Society of New



