New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-11
GETS COCK-OF-THE-R0CK'
TenderfOot Explorer Makes
Brilliant Discovery for Museum.
BRINGS EGGS OF RARE BIRD
Life in Peril Twice-Colombian
Expedition Reveals 40 Birds
and Is Mammals New Here.

II fell to the lot Of Leo r. Miller. OF
indianapolis, a young man with no sci
ent!fc training, who had never been
away from home before to make the
most important discovery in an expedi-
ton to Colombia, conducted under the
auspices Of the American Museum OF
Natural History. which has just been
completed.
In February, 1911 Frank NJ Chapman.
curator of ornithology Of the museum.
started with the expedition to Colombia
Miller had joined it for experience" His
services were accepted on the strength
of a letter he wrote requesting TO go.
Later on Miller was left in charge Of the
expedition.
Although specimens OF all tropical
birds and mammals were sought. one Of
the main quests OF the expedition wae
for bird called cock-of-the-rock and 10
secure specimens OF the nests and eggs
After all the others had failed, Miller,
whose knowledge OF birds previous 70
the expedition had been slight. succeed
ed
At the museum yesterday half O dozen
or more specimens Of this feathered Great
ure, found only in the tropics Of South
America, were shown by Mr.. Chapman
and Mr.. Miller. They were birds the
size of large parrot, with crimson
feathers
When the nests OF the birds were
shown Mr.. Chapman told how his assist
ant had nearly lost his life in the Ma
ranjos River in trying to get one OF the
nests. The birds build their nests only
In deep raviues. 1t took one whole day
to get single nest. But the reward was
doubly rich when five or more eggs, no
duplicates of which can be found in this
country. according to the museum off,
cials, were found in the nest Only one
is known OF in all Europe.
Miller had listened to the tales about
the cock-of-the-rock told by the natives
He heard how these gaudily colored
feathered folk held dances about which
there was some superstition. Then he
found a nest. But under it rushed a tur-
bulent stream.
Expedition Near Drowning.
While on raft trying to haul down
the nest Miller and his native compan-
ions Were dumped into the water and
had to swim ashore. BY means OF LONE
bamboo poles the nest was at last loos-
ened from an overhanging cliff and a
native dived into the river and captured
It as it dropped.
The museum has fully twenty-four
specimens of the rare bird.
1t was only comparatively short dis
lance from one part OF Miller's tramp IN
Colombia that the rubber atrocities have
been committed.
Yes, / heard that the natives were
beaten II they did not bring in a GER
tain amount Of rubber each day." WAS his
answer TO q question If he had heard Of
the practices that have recently been dis
closed TO the world.
For six months or more not a word was
received from this country. II was not
until he reached Neiva, I'm August. that ne
heard anything about the sinking of the
Titanic.
THAT was the first news / heard in hail
year" Miller added. Il have been
reading studiously ever since l got back
TO try and catch UP with current events.
Contrasts in 1900 Mile Tramp.
in his l.5OO-mlle tramp Miller dlscov-
cred one Of the healthiest spots in the
world. and one of the unhealthiest In
the latter he was attacked with a fever
which finally caused one member OF the
expedition 20 be invaded home. lie,
however. recovered. and later ran across
a plateau $500 feet high on the opposite
side of a mountain range from the pes
tilential section earlier passed. In this
garden spot was grown everything worth
while, and there. according to the OK
plorer. white man had chance TO live
with no fear Of agues and fevers.
At San Augustine was found region,
according TO the explorer, rich In posi-
bIlities for studying a race presumably
pre-Incan In age. Monolths and other
evidences of an age previous TO the Incas
were found.