64 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1908. 



Major Bendire undertook the preparation of the Life Histories of 

 North American Birds he found an enthusiastic supporter in Doctor 

 Ealph, who proceeded forthwith to contribute specimens and notes 

 with the object of makino- the undertaking a success. The two pub- 

 lished vohnnes of the Life Histories teem with items from his pen, 

 and his contributions to the Museum egg collection, begun in 1892, 

 number upward of 10,000 specimens, mostly in faultless condition 

 and labeled with great care. His other donations to the National 

 Museum, by no means unimportant in the aggregate, include, among 

 other objects, an excellent specimen of the extinct Philip Island 

 parrot {Nestor jvodnctus). 



At the death of Major Bendire, in 1897, Doctor Ralph was chosen 

 to fill the vacancy of custodian of the section of birds' eggs, and in 

 1901 his title was changed to curator. He at once proceeded to accu- 

 mulate data for the continuation of the Life Histories, but owing to 

 the precarious state of his health the third volume of this work was 

 incomplete at the time of hi:; death. Doctor Ealph exhibited a keen 

 interest in the study of wild creatures, and always kept a variety of 

 pets in his office. He was largely instrumental in the introduction of 

 gray squirrels into the Smithsonian grounds, with the object of add- 

 ing to the attractiveness of the park. Although his tenure of life 

 was rendered uncertain from an early age by reason of an organic 

 affection of the heart, Doctor Ealph was invariably cheerful and 

 optimistic, mild mannered, and of a gentle and unselfish disposition. 

 His loss will be keenly felt by his friends and associates. 



Prof. "W. O. Atwater, of ^Vesleyan University, Middletown, Con- 

 necticut, who served as honorary curator in charge of the section of 

 foods from 1884 to 1892, died on September 22, 1907. While con- 

 nected with the Museum he prepared an interesting exhibit illustra- 

 ting the composition of the human body, and another showing the 

 manner in which food compensates for the daiW expenditure of 

 bodily tissue. 



