X PREFACE. 



Orinoco Delta, and explored the country about the Vene- 

 zuelan Pitch Lake — La Brea. 



To Mr. Eugene Andre of Trinidad, we are deeply in- 

 debted for a hundred kindnesses which did much to make 

 our trip a success. We wish also to express gratitude to 

 Mr. Mole, Mr. Anduse and especially to the late Mr. Ellis 



Grell. 



Part II. 



On the 15th of February, 1909, we sailed from New York 

 on the Steamship " Coppename " of the Royal Dutch West 

 Indian Mail, and with only a single stop — Barbadoes — 

 reached Georgetown, British Guiana, on the 24th of the 

 same month. 



In British Guiana we made three expeditions; two as 

 the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord Wilshire, having 

 as our objective points two gold mines in the midst of 

 the wilderness, the ilrst at Hoorie in the northwest, the 

 second on the Little Aremu in central Guiana. On these 

 exp>editions we were spared all the usual annoyances of 

 transportation; food and servants and everything at the 

 mines were put at our service to facilitate our study of the 

 nature life of the country. The third trip to the savanna 

 region further south was made at the invitation of Mr. and 

 Mrs. Lindley Vinton, two Americans living in Georgetown, 

 who placed their home at our disposal while we remained 

 in Georgetown. 



During our entire slay in British Guiana we received 

 unfailing courtesy and kindness, — from the Governor, 

 Sir Frederick Hodgson, down to the great black hospitable 

 wilderness police. Professor J. B. Harrison allowed us to 

 use the old aviaries at the Botanical Gardens, and with 

 Mr. James Rodway of the Georgetown Museum and 

 Mr. B. Howell Jones, extended to us all the courtesies in 

 his power. 



