Porto Rico, 1911 - 1912, field diaries, 13 December 1911 - 15 September 1912 : volume 1, December 13, 1911 - February 15, 1912

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Abstract

Comprises one of four field notebooks compiling Wetmore's observations and collecting efforts in Puerto Rico for the United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Biological Survey, December 13, 1911 - February 15, 1912. From the front of the notebooks, notes are chronological, headed with the date and day of week, journal-style entries, and describes specimen numbers 162 - 1246. In the open text, he discusses most aspects of his travel: his choice of lodging; daily activities; obtaining local permissions, dealings with local officials, purchasing supplies, texts read in preparation, vegetation and wildlife (often by scientific name and/or common name); descriptions of terrain and weather of collecting and observation sites. At the end of some entries, he lists collected specimens with assigned number, scientific name, sex, and other varying characteristics (initially listing details about sexual organs of native birds), though some specimen information is within the open text. Discussion of observed flora and fauna is extensive and a broad survey. In addition to observations, he discusses the introduction of the mongoose to the island and collecting bat specimens. Sites visited include vicinity of: Río Piedras, Punta Picúa, Fajardo, Caguas, Aibonito, Eureka, Rio Grande, La Cueva de Marteo Quebrada, and Trujillo Alto. |Beginning at the back of the notebook, he lists expenses, supplies, birdlists and related film (Rio Piedras, Fajardo, Caguas, Aibonito), and specimens sent (by date).

Date Range

1911-1912

Start Date

Dec 13, 1911

End Date

Feb 15, 1912

Access Information

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Topic

  • Bats
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Ornithology

Place

  • Puerto Rico
  • Fajardo
  • Caguas,
  • Picúa, Punta
  • Trujillo Alto
  • Rio Grande
  • Río Piedras
  • Aibonito

Form/Genre

  • Fieldbook record
  • Field notes

Accession #

SIA RU007006

Collection name

Alexander Wetmore Papers, circa 1848-1979 and undated

Physical Description

1 notebook

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 137 Folder 4