Hoatzins

A party from the University of Pennsylvania set sail for the jungles of the upper Amazon, to snare the almost mythical "hoatzin." The party is headed by Rodolphe M. de Schauenesse, son of a French baroness, and owner of a rare aviary; Joseph McGoldrick; and Henry Norris. The hoatzin is so rare a bird that few scientific men have ever seen it except William Beebe (TIME, April 7), who tracked it down in British Guiana. It is a primitive type, relic of vanished ages, closely allied to the pterodactyl, first known fossil bird. It has a very strong beak, with which it has been known to break rocks. It swims like a duck, its wings are webbed like a bat's. The newly hatched hoatzin has long claws on its thumb and first finger with which it climbs trees until its wings are strong enough to fly. The expedition will also seek the bell bird, which tinkles, but does not sing.