Page:The National Geographic Magazine Vol 16 1905.djvu/72

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THE chart of the world, 45 x 25 inches, which it was announced in the December number of this Magazine would be published as a supplement to this number has been delayed in publication, and will be published as a supplement to the February number.

PROBABLY the first thought of Americans on reading the announcement of the award of the "Nobel Prizes" of $40,000 each for 1904 was surprise that not a single American received a prize. Americans are doing noble work in the physical sciences, in literature, in medicine and surgery, in chemistry, and in the humanities. A prize of about $40,000 is awarded annually for achievements in each of these branches, and yet no American has received a prize. The reason is not lack of appreciation abroad of what we are doing in this country, but the neglect of Americans to apply for the prizes, owing to misunderstanding of the manner in which the awards are made. In the awarding of prizes only those persons are considered who are formally nominated as candidates by some institution, college, or scientific society of rank and character. Not a single American, we are informed, has yet been presented for consideration, and the impression abroad is that Americans are not interested in the prizes. The awards are made in physical sciences and chemistry by the Academy of Science of Stockholm, in medicine by the medical faculty of the university, in literature by the Swedish Academy, and in the humanities by the Norwegian Storthing. Mr W. E. Curtis in his public letter of December 26 calls attention to this mutual misunderstanding. It is to be hoped that hereafter for each prize the name of at least one American will be formally presented as a candidate. Any one can compete, but his or her name must be presented by a worthy institution.

THE STORY OF THE FLAMINGO

ONE of the most fascinating descriptions of animal life published for many years appears in the Century Magazine for December. It is the story of the Flamingo, by the well-known naturalist, Frank M. Chapman. For centuries queer stories have been told about this splendid bird, that it straddled its nest and did other ridiculous things, but the flamingo is shy and scarce and has always eluded the hunter. The only flamingo colony now known in North America is in an out-of-the-way island of the Bahamas. This colony Mr Chapman has been seeking for many years, but it was not till May, 1904, that he discovered its exact location. Behind a cleverly constructed blind he spent several weeks right in the midst of the colony. He secured many photographs, which the Century Magazine reproduces, several of them being in colors. The flamingo is the largest bird of brilliant plumage in existence. It is gregarious and exhibits a strange combination of grace and gawkiness. Since Mr Chapman's visit others have succeeded in visiting the flamingo colony with disastrous results. "Fresh meat is rarer than pink pearls in the outer Bahama Islands. Young flamingoes are excellent eating, and are consequently much sought after. As a result of this perse- cution on the nesting ground, they are steadily diminishing in numbers, and the passage of a law designed to protect them is greatly to be desired."

AMERICAN FOREST CONGRESS

DURING the first week of the new year a notable congress of persons and associations interested in the preservation and best use of our forests