Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-10-26
GREAT BATS FISH EATERS
Interesting Specimens from
Porto Rico for Museum.
Fine Collection of Birds and Mammals
OF Tint Island Secured by Mem
her of the Museum stnfY-aIoose
mt Close Range.

! The American Museum of Natural His
tory has received fine series of birds
and mammals collected b. H. f. Anthony
OF the museum staff in Porto Rico. Mr.
Anthony conducted this expedition as
part of a plan of a natural history sur
vey OF tho island undertaken by the New
/ York Academy of Sciences and the Amer
lean Museum of Natural History in CO.
operation with the insular government.
! included in the collections are a number
OF specimens of bats and fossil mammals.
1t is not generally known that bats are
the only mammals found on the island
to-day. Not less than IL distinct species
were found in a collection of nearly 500
specimens. Caves are found all over the
island and nearly 80 were visited. Many
OF these caves are extensive. and con-
tain underground streams. so that ex-
ploraton is a difficult procedure. In
some places bats were found by the thou
sand, and when disturbed the noise of
their wings was like that of a gale of
wind
Although the layman regards a bat as
commonplace sort of animal, closer
acquaintance yields many interesting
facts about them and in the variety of
portant scientific points concerning them
were noted. Most of the bats are insec-
tivorous and play an important part in
the control of insect life The largest
/ bats on the island are reputed to be fish
caters. On this point, however. no first
hand evidence could be secured. The
guano in many of the caves is a valuable
asset as a fertilizer and the deposits are
being worked by the natives.
STRANGE FOSSIL MAMMALS
In addition to the bats fossil mammals
Of type hitherto unknown We're secured.
These mammals were, like the bats. to
be founC in the caves. but it was neces-
sary to scar Oh for the latter by digging
in the loose soil of the cave floors.
Without doubt these animals lived be-
fore human habitaton. but IL is possible
that some of them-larger rodents
formed an important item in the diet of
the early Indian jewellers who used to
visit the caves probably to celebrate re-
ligious ceremonies, ut which time the ami
mails may ave been eaten and the bones
cast aside Evidences OF this was found
by examination OF q number Of refuse
heaps in the caves in which bones and
broken bis of indian pottery were found.
The fact that Porto Rico at one time
doubtless had abundant mammalian
FAUNA Is an important point IN the Sp4Uy
of the history of the West Indies.
Immediately after his return from
Porto Rico, Mr. Anthony proceeded to
Ontario, Can, where in company with
George Shiras, Sd, of Washington, r. c.,
an expedition for moose was planned and
for the Photographic study. by Mr.
Shiras, of mammals living along the
northern shore of Lake superior. Per
nits to collect moose We're secured both
from tho provincial government and from
the State of Minnesota and camp was
made on Gunflint lake near the interna-
tional boundary line.
MOOSE At CLOSE RANGE.
Mr. Shras generously provided for the
expenses Of the trip and supplied the
guides. 1t was found that although moose
had been abundant curing the summer
for some unknown cause they had mi
grated from the vicinity about foul
weeks prior to the arrival Of the party
Sufficient sign of their caller occupation
was found. and after week of contnu-
: Gus hunting that proved futile, Mr.
Anthony left the main ra~ and pro-
ceeded to another camp "r Arrow lake
Here a few moose were located and q
fine soccimen of bull was collected fol
the museum. At this point Mr.. Anthony
was able to make an interesting study OF
the animal. Although difficulty was en-
countered in securing the bull specimen
cows and calves were seen on seVera
occasions and for considerable Fri ID
The animals were observed at close range
: and once a large calf feeding at some
distance from its mother. became lost
when the mother took fright and rar
away and in its anxiety to locate its
parent paid no attention to the hunters
That same evening a calf. presumably
this one, swan out to meet the motoi
launch Of the party possibly mistakins
the noise of the moving water for the re
turn of the mother At any rate he CANT
sufficiently close 20 the launch that il wa!
possible to cut him off from the shore anC
a rope could have been placed arounc
his neck had it been so desired.
Other animals that were observed or
this trip were beaver now rs numerou.
in this part of Ontario as they were {
hundred years ago. Wolves could b.
heard bowling during the clear nights
and deer were to be found generally dis
tributed throughout the region
ANIMALS PHOTOGRAPHED.
NJ Shiras put out fashlight camera
. at night and was successful in havin,
, flashes fired by skunks and other prowl
ers which came about the camp. as vel
as having one of them fired in the da.
time by passing Danu OF lnulaHs, NHlC'
! threw the Indians in panic and afforded
considerable amusement to the party
ono afternoon large black porcupin
appeared along the beach. to the JOY o
. the photographer. This animal is a com
= mon dcnizcn of the forest.
An interesting Indian mound was foun'
: on the shore Of Arrow lake, in whicl
: were found bits of decorated pottery ant
implements of native copper, undoubt
eddy the work of the early Indian tribe
living in this part of Ontario.