1917.] Chapman, Distribution of Bird-life in Colombia. 51 



We remained in Bogota from February 12 to 20 buying mules and sup- 

 plies for our proposed journey to Villavicencio, distant some ninety miles 

 by trail, at the eastern base of the Andes, and during this period collected 

 on the Savanna in the vicinity of the city. 



In order to simplify the problem of transportation and to avoid over- 

 taxing the limited resources of wayside posadas, our party was divided 

 into two sections for the journey to Villavicencio. This plan necessitated 

 the use of only three saddle- and three pack-mules. At the end of a day's 

 journey of twenty to twenty-five miles, the first section stopped. After 

 resting a day the mules were sent back for the second section. On its 

 arrival the first section advanced another day's journey. Relayed in this 

 manner we collected to a limited extent en route, at Chipaque (alt. 9000 ft.), 

 Quetame, (alt. 4600 ft.) and Monteredondo (alt. 4500 ft.). The first party 

 reached Buena Vista (alt. 4500 ft.), on the summit of the last ridge of the 

 Andes (the first ridge above Villavicencio) February 28, the second, March 2. 



March 5, the first party left for Villavicencio, where it was joined by the 

 second party March 10. The first party remained at Villavicencio until 

 March 15, while the second party returned to Buena Vista March 13. 



In all, therefore, we had nearly two weeks' collecting at Buena Vista 

 a,nd Villavicencio. 



March 16, we all left Buena Vista for Bogota. Additional mules were 

 hired to avoid delay and the journey was accomplished in the regulation 

 pack-train time of three days. 



March 19, we left Bogota for Fusugasug£, distant about 35 miles to the 

 south at the upper border of the Tropical Zone of the Magdalena Valley. 



Collections were made in the vicinity of Fusugasuga (alt. 5464 ft.) and 

 at Aguadita (alt. about 6500 ft.) March 25 to 31, at El Roble (alt. 8100 ft.) 

 in the Subtropical Zone, April 1 to 4, and at EI Pinon (alt. 9600 ft.) in the 

 Temperate Zone April 1 to 5. 



April 5 to 9 was devoted to packing, and on April 10 we left Bogotd on 

 our homeward journey, during which no birds were collected. 



Barranquilla to Honda via the Magdalena River. — The Caribbean coast 

 of Colombia, both because of a low and irregular rainfall and the character 

 of the soil is comparatively arid. Acacias, cacti and other xerophytic 

 forms are the prevailing types of vegetation. This region, however, is so 

 remote from Bogota that, so far as I am aware, none of the birds which, in 

 Colombia, are restricted to it are found in Bogota collections. 



It is not until one has passed Calamar and reached the vicinity of Banco, 

 about 150 miles from the mouth of the Magdalena, that the humid, forested 

 region is reached. More favorable soil and increased rainfall, doubtless 

 following condensation attributable to the proximity of the Eastern Andes, 



