Shufeldt: Birds from Bermuda. 341 



This represented all the material in the collections of the U. S. 

 National Museum which could be of any use whatever in the way of 

 comparison; it is very evident that, in so far as skeletons of ^strelata 

 of any species are concerned, it is a long way from being of either 

 the proper kind or in sufificient quantity. This being the case, I at 

 once put myself in communication with other naturalists and insti- 

 tutions with the hope of augmenting it. I was surprised to find how 

 very little material of the kind was to be found in the collections of 

 either private individuals or of institutions. For example, Dr. Frank 

 E. Beddard, F.R.S., Prosector of the Zoological Society of London, 

 wrote me on the 12th of October, 191 5, to the effect that " I fear that 

 I am of no use to you in the matter of which you write. The collec- 

 tion here of birds' skeletons does not include the types you require. 

 I am sorry not to be able to help you." Dr. Arthur Keith, F.R.C.S., 

 Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of 

 England, in his note of the nth of October, 1915, said: "I would 

 send you the tracings and drawings with good-will, but unfortunately 

 Mr. Bedone and his assistant — who have charge of the Bird part of 

 the Museum — are in France, and I do not know when they may re- 

 turn. Indeed — at present — the Museum is shut down and only the 

 more urgent work is being carried on. But as soon as my men come 

 back you shall have the facts you are in need of. 

 '' With kindest regards, 



" Yours sincerely, 



[Signed] A. Keith." 



This kind note spoke only too plainly of the effect of the great 

 European war upon the scientific institutions in London. 



As Prof. C. J. Maynard had collected extensively in the Bermudas, 

 I wrote to him with the view of ascertaining whether he had in his 

 collections any skeletons of Petrels and Shearwaters that might be of 

 value by way of comparison in the work in hand. On the 6th of 

 September, 191 5, he wrote me from his home at West Newton, Massa- 

 chusetts to the effect that " I am sorry to have to tell you that I have 

 no complete skeleton of Audubon's Shearwater, but have a sternum 

 which I shall be glad to lend to you if that will be of service to you. 

 It is roughed out, as sternums are best kept in this condition until 

 wanted. 



" Very truly yours, 



[Signed] C. J. Maynard." 



