Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-29
MIR. whitcheasd'. discoveries.
Nondon Snectatorl

ii-bhtDN NI'tAdtfiD
Mr.. Whitehead always made bis expe-
ditlons alone. from the first humble be-
ginning. when In Corsica he discovered
a new nuthatch and added it TO the list
Of European birds, TO the final journey
TO Hainan. lie visited Borneo, climbed
the great mountain OF Kina Balu, ana
brought back forty-one new species oil
birds from that region. lie also ex-
plored the birds of the island of Pala-
wan. where he found more new species.
But his most interesting work was in
the Upper Philippines. In this expedi-
ton he made the most striking orntho-
logical discovery or recent umes-the
great forest eagle of Sumar. The only
skin Of an adult bird of this species Is
that sent home by him, which Is now
among the treasures Of the British Mu-
scum Of Natural History. 1t Is Tar TOO
precious for exhibition. but its portraits
and dimensions are given in the lbisi IN
a paper by Mr. Ogilvie Grant. Its COM
bined weapons Of Deak and claw are
more formidable than those Of any other
bird, and its weight about one-half
greater than that of the golden eagle.
but the length Of the body is no less re-
markable than its weight. Some Of the
most interesting of the smaller Philip
pine birds collected by Mr.. Whitehead
are shown, together with their nests, In
the cases in the bird gallery at the mu-
scum. among them being a series OF sun
birds. diminutive creatures with the col
ors Of humming- birds. but OF more Pro-
sale shape That called after its dis
coVerer has a black head, with purple
iridescence, a black back, and a crimson
belly; others are scarlet, purple, plack
and yellow.
But the nests of these little birds,
which Mr.. Whitehead obtained and sent
over 10 this country in perfect CONDITION
together with the leaves 10 which they
were attached are more interesting tnar
the birds themselves. Many OF them arr
OF shapes and materials quite unlike any
seen elsewhere. and absolutely dineren
from any Of the "stOck designs of nests
made by European birds Some OF th'
"nower-peckers' nests are shaped IKE
a fat purse or alms-bag. The entrance
10 this il not on either side, but IN th'
end. in which is a slit through "hlci
| the little bird creeps into the hal-siue'
bag This is suspended from a brahCh
J or from the lQSluc Ol a. leA SN -
| tropical leaf. which completely hides IN
nest from in front. The most peautlIu
is that of the blood-crested Hover
pecker. which. like others, hangs from
! large feshy leaf. 1t looks as If made u
from small square fragments OF dea'
rose petals Though this Is not the iea
materiaD the color being that OF ol
rose" How the material is fastened TO
eetber is not obvious. but apparently o.
weaving over it single threads OF spl
der's silk The inducement 70 undertake
these expeditions is usually pure love o
discovery, and. in a minor degree IN
taste for collecting" inc time mus
be approaching when there VIII be n
more unknown birds or beasts 10 uls
cover. Tnen the explorer VIII perIorc
fan back on the less exciting search 10
new insects or new plants and flowers
The botanists and florists have sun
field before them, and "A new orchid Is
valuable discovery and new aye o
fibre plant potential wealth. II the gree
indigo reputed to exist in some countr
in the far East, were found It's els
coverers fortune would be made; an
n real rival TO Indiarubber, or a substi
tute for Manila hemp, would enrlch
whole community