New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-25
NOW HEADS EXPLORATION
Miller, Who Captured "COCk-Of-
the-RoCk," Goes to 0rinOCO.
RICH FINDS HOPED FOR
Last Service He Performed for
American Museum Was EX-
pert, but by Amateur.

When Leo T. Miller, of indianapolis,
leaves this city tomorrow for the upper
Orinoco Valley, In South America, he
will do so as the head OF an expedition
sent there by the Museum OF Natural
History In February, 1911, Miller went
to Colombia with a museum expedition,
but in a far different capacity. He went
that time FOR experience" and at his
own expense. lie was tendertoot lie
had never been any distance from his
home town before In his life.
The reason for the decided elevation or
his place I'm this expedition IS his re-
markable success IN the last one. Though
ne was only an amateur bird enthusiast
and student. according to his own sum
ming up of his attachments at that time
he succeeded in securing the one great
trophy sought by the party.
II was partly for the purpose OF making
biological survey Of certain sections ~
Colombia that the museum sent out the
party but the special purpose was 70
secure. If possible specimens Of the COCK
of-the-rock. one OF the most beautiful OF
the feathered folk Of the tropics. as well
as one OF the rarest. Little was known
then Of its habits. and specimens OF II
were possessed by only few museums III
the world.
When all others gave up the task Miller
stroyo 10 find the bird. and did. He
brought back eighteen specimens as wei
as many eggs and nests though he near
IL lost his life several times. The mu-
scum. through his work in that direc-
tion has the best collection OF that rare
bird now known.
Before no returned 10 this city, in Sep
tember OF the present year Miller had
been made a regular member OF the mu-
scum STAFF. Now he goes out as head OF
the present expedition. which VIII be OF
a years duration.
Tho purpose OF the present trip OF ex-
ploration is somewhat akin TO the pre-
ceding one. The country traversed Will
be studied. as Will the birds and man.
mails specimens OF which will be brought
back by the party
In February. 1911, the other expedition
started out with Frank NJ. Chapman.
curator Of birds, in charge. Colombia
WAS the destination. Later Mr. Chapman
and an artist OF the party left Miller, who
continued his explorations southwark,
finally going into practically unknown
country the CocaL The pack mules were
discarded. and Indians were engaged 10
carry the OUTFITS. The only inhabitants
met in the Cocal were a few degenerate
negroes and Indians. In all, Miller and
his Indians tramped fifteen hundred miles.
The suffering was so great that several
times he was tempted to turn back. He
reached Noanama, which place he called
the sickliest in the world. lie travelled
about twice the distance on RATS and in
a small boat he did on foot.
In his long journey Miller discovered,
besides the sickliest place, one he con-
sidered the most healthful.
As the region TO which the latest ex-
petition il going is considered one OF the
richest for exploration, museum officials
said there was every possibility of a
great quantity of valuable material and
information being obtained. On the last
expedition twenty-four hundred speci-
mems OF birds and mammals were col
lected