New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-06
A NEW HUMMlMG BIRD
Naturalists Make Many DiscoV'
or;oe IN banana Zone.

TIL. Panama Canal Zone is proving
fertile ground for scientific investigation
and research A party Of naturalsts from
the Smithsonian Institution, in washington
has recently been making biological sur
vev of the zone. and among the Interesting
discoveries was that oil beautiful hum
ming bird representing a new genus ana
snecies. The discovery was made By b. "A.
Goldman, Of the Biological Survey United
States Department Of Agriculture VINO was
assigned to the expedition. the type speoI-
men came from the high slopes or the
Cerro Azul, which rises to an alt!tuoe Vi
1900 feet. is about fifteen miles northwest
of Chepo, Panama, at the extreme He"N
waters of the Chagres River ana i CIV
cred with forests, which become sInalier III
the upper parts, where the humnlng DlluS
live.
Similar in appearance 10 the we'll known
variety Of humming bird, the new species
is exceedingly beautiful IN coloring. II mas
baer named Goldmania violceps, In honor
of Mr.. Goldman. In the adult maze INC
crown. forehead and lores are Gull nldes-
cent violet, while the rest OF the upper
narts are q rich metallic green, ana tls
tsu feathers a reddish chestnut tipped
with bronze green. IN the adult fenale the
entire upper parts Of the body ana heau
are uniform duh metallic green, while the
Under parts are dull white mixed with
green.
detailed scientific description OF the
bumming bird is given in pamphlet NO.
. o15 OF the Smithsonian miscellaneous col
lections.
Mr. Goldman who spent several months
IN the Canal Zone with the Smithsonian
marty also brought back many other III
terestfng specimens of mammals ana orus'
Among these were several black hoWiers
and red spider monkeys, two members OF
the simian order that inhabit certain sec
t,ons OF the zone The black bowler is
big, law monkey. slow in its Movements
while the red spider monkey IS in striking
contrast active and alert. 1t is not diff
cult 10 shoot the black hoWier. Instead Oh
running away over the limbs Of trees
when a hunter approaches, II sits UP on
the limb where Il may have been taking
a nap and begins TO howl and yell at the
hunter as he aims his gun. In an angry
sinian chatter 1t protests against the in
trusion, but, apparently unafraid or too
lazy 10 Jump 70 another limb, makes no
effort 10 get away.
To those not familiar with the subject
the method employed 10 obtain specimens
Of mammals and birds for museums is In
teresting A special shotgun is used and
the shot in the shells is so small that 1t
does not injure the feathers or mutilate
the skin. A supply Of chloroform and for
nnaldehyde was also carried. and proved OF
,aiua In obtaining many insects and reptile
speclmens which IL was not necessary TO
shoot.
After reaching the Panama Zone the
party separated the different members go
ing by themselves and devoting their time
and efforts to their particular lines Of work.
Mr.. Goldman collected chiefly mammals
and birds. while others gathered reptiles,
fishes, insects. plants etc, the idea being
that when all this material is assembled
and studied very full knowledge or the
fauna and fora Of the zone will be o.
tanned