THE AGOUTI IS AMONG THE SHIEST OF FOREST CREATURES The agouti, a cousin of the guinea pig, is common in Central and South America. It is swift in its movements. Its fur is long and thick, and usually chestnut or olive in color. RACCOONLIKE COATIS ARE NUMEROUS ON BARRO COLORADO ISLAND Possessing habits of the raccoon and the squirrel, the coati is an arboreal little animal, living principally on birds, mice, worms and insects. Although playful, he is not a pleasant-looking creature because of his long, piglike snout (see, also, text, page 342). ENJOYING A BANANA AS THE PRICE OF HIS PICTURE The coati succumbed to the lure of a ripe banana, thereby bringing on himself the lightning and thunder of the flash powder. The large, round object is the nest of termites, or so-called "white ants," that was tied to the wire in the hope that it might attract an anteater. Obviously the second step is not that high. It would appear, therefore, that these cats, even in the dead of night (the ocelot picture was made at 2 a. m.) are aware of the presence of the wire and make a partial attempt to step over it. The flash of the peccary, on the contrary, shows that the animal made no attempt whatever to avoid the wire into which its muzzle is pressed (see, also, text, page 342). Returning to the comparison of the pumas shown on pages 340 and 341, it will be seen that not only are they marked alike observe especially the light specks above the shoulders-but that they wear much the same expression. Assuming, Assuming, therefore, that this is but one individual, the two pictures admirably illustrate one of the most distinctive features of camerahunting, namely, that we may capture the same animal an indefinite number of times and still leave him as free as he was in the beginning. In this particular instance, it is not only especially reassuring to believe that the but also that the earlier experience has left no visible result on his expression. It is true that in one picture he apparently stepped on the wire, while in the other he stepped over it; but aside from this difference he seems to tread the trail with confidence. PHOTOGRAPHING AN ANIMAL'S FEAR REACTION IS UNSPORTSMANLIKE I do not believe that we can realize what a shock it must be to these timid, exceedingly sensitive creatures to be flash-lighted. It is difficult to conceive of a more terrifying experience than this sudden encounter with a blinding glare of light and cannonlike report at a distance of 10 or II feet. This is the one objectionable feature of camera-hunting at night. I am often asked whether it would not be possible with a second camera to photograph the animal's reaction to the flash. It can be done, it has been done, but I do not want to do it. The charm, as well as the value of these EVEN BIRDS MAY BE BAGGED BY THE FLASH-LIGHT PIIOTOGRAPHER Although this picture was made during the day, the forest was so dark and the exposure so rapid that it resembles a night flash light. The beautiful white snake hawk was attracted to the trip-wire by a fish head. suspecting animal as it prowls the forest on its nightly beat. To yield to our curiosity to see "what happens" is to destroy this feeling of seeing while unseen and, at the same time, to take unfair advantage of the animal. It is bad enough to frighten a creature; to photograph it in the act of responding to the uncontrollable impulse of fear is adding insult to injury. camera register. But there are other inhabitants of Barro Colorado who have evaded it. There is the collared peccary, so common that we see it almost daily, but so wise that thus far it has dodged the camera wire. There are the exquisitely shy forest deer, the paca and the great bushy-tailed anteater. Above all there is the jaguar, king of American cats (see, Another puma (see page 340, lower) is also, illustrations, page 336 and above). distinguished by the large amount of black on its muzzle. It is apparently a fullIt is apparently a fullgrown female, perhaps the mate of the one above, though this is pure surmise. HOW A UNIQUE PICTURE WAS OBTAINED The left forefoot has crossed the wire, which was evidently sprung at the next step. No attention whatever was paid to the banana tied to the wire with white cord, and it remained for a Baird's tapir to take firm hold of this fruit and give the wire a tug which resulted in the unique picture shown on page 339. Mice, rats, agouti, birds, even bats have automatically recorded themselves on this Aside from their importance as pictorial records, the chief value of these pictures is the graphic evidence they afford of the primitive character of Barro Colorado's fauna. A satisfactory study of the relation of an animal to its surroundings, physical and organic, can be made only when these surroundings are essentially natural. The removal of but a single species may affect the entire fauna. The introduction of a species may be followed by equally far-reaching results. In other words, the origin of structure and habit, the function of form and color, should be studied where the conditions of life have been undisturbed. The gallant crew of the America, heroic in the face of numerous adversities, not only added a notable chapter to flying annals, but also recorded valuable scientific data for transocean flying of the future. From left to right: Bertram B. Acosta, pilot; Commander Richard E. Byrd, leader and navigator; Lieut. George O. Noville, engineer and radio operator, and Bernt Balchen, BY COMMANDER RICHARD EVELYN BYRD, U. S. Navy (RET.) AUTHOR OF "FLYING OVER THE ARCTIC" AND "THE FIRST FLIGHT TO THE NORTH POLE," IN THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE The National Geographic Society is privileged to present to its membership the first magazine story from the pen of Commander Richard E. Byrd, leader of the “America's” historic and dauntless flight from New York to France. Members also will recall that THE GEOGRAPHIC presented the first accounts of his Arctic flights under their Society's auspices and of his aërial conquest of the Pole. Commander Byrd and his gallant companions have performed a signal service to aviation science and are receiving the well-merited acclaim of the Nation. To give his thrilling message to The Society's membership without delay necessitated its appearance in the last pages of this issue.—THE EDITOR. T LONG has been my ambition to attempt a transatlantic flight for two reasons: to help the progress of aviation and, in a small way, to further international amity. When the America was christened the French and American flags were flown together. Before the christening, 2,000 people gathered about the plane. As we mounted the speakers' platform I was told that Col. Charles A. Lindbergh had reached Paris. So we turned our christening into a celebration of Lindbergh's triumph. Thus I was the first man to make a speech about his remarkable achievement (page 349). Lindbergh did more for international relations than we thought possible and so we were glad that he got there first. FLIGHT NOT PLANNED AS A RACE A good-will flight had been for years the dream of our backer, Mr. Rodman Wanamaker. We bore friendly messages to foreign officials and, as a gift to the French Republic from Mr. Wanamaker, we carried one of our most precious relics, a piece of the bunting from which was made the original American flag. As we had repeatedly announced, we were in no race. Even had we been, we were completely out of the running when. our plane crashed on the factory test. Floyd Bennett, who worked with me in planning the flight, was desperately injured, through no fault of his own, and now, months later, is still in the hospital. His great ambition to cross the Atlantic was shattered as was his body, but not his indomitable courage (see illustration, page 353). Bennett and I worked as a team. It was broken, but Floyd said, "It is our duty to see this flight through." He was right, so we repaired my broken arm and the America and it rose again to show itself the great plane we thought it was, typical of the transatlantic craft of the future. We were anxious to establish certain scientific facts. We thought that the transatlantic plane of the future must be a multi-engine one that would fly with one of the engines out of commission. That would give the degree of safety necessary for taking passengers across the Atlantic. We also wanted to demonstrate that it is possible to carry a useful load of 500 or 600 pounds, three or four people, and an efficient radio. As a matter of fact, the America could transport eight or nine people to France in addition to the useful load. Other pioneers, however, must follow these three successful flights. I believe that in ten years regular transatlantic flights will be made. It is possible now to build a large plane, with twice the wing spread of the America, that will transport 15 passengers and three or four times the useful load we carried. Many problems confronted us when we started our preparations. No one knew what the cruising radius of a huge, threeengine plane such as ours would be. But should one of the engines stop on the America, when lifting a very heavy load, we could with our dump valve let gasoline go overboard until the total weight of the plane would be 10,000 pounds. Then it would have a cruising radius of about 1,200 miles with the two engines. The advantage of this type of plane for flying over the ocean is apparent. |