J. F. Centellas: Contra la destrucción del aura. 67 



dose en nombre de la Sociedad ''Audubon" de New York en un 

 todo de acuerdo con la que yo sustentaba y critica acerbamente 

 que en algunos Estados del Sur haya predominado esa especie 

 de antagonismo contra el aura. 



Posteriormente y ante una nueva solicitud mía para que me 

 remitiera las opiniones de otros ornitólogos al servicio del Go- 

 bierno americano, el Sr. Pearson me escribió con fecha 23 

 de Agosto (*) remitiéndome los dictámenes emitidos por los 

 Sres. E. H. Forbusch, naturalista miembro de la Sociedad 



sort of hysteria sweeping through our southern States the past few years, and 

 some of the States have already taken prot'CCtion off of this much abused bird. 

 Scientific investigation showed a few years ago, that tho cholera germs while pas- 

 sing through the body of the vulture were destroyed, henee about the only way the 

 birds could carry disease wonld be on their feet, bilis ar featherg. Dogs running 

 all over the country at large probably carry more cholera germs than do vultures. 

 The same may be said <ff opossums, cats, foxes and other domestic and wild ani- 

 máis. 



I am unable to give you any important opinions of others on the subject, as 

 the matter has not brought out any very great discnssion on the part of scientists. 



I am taking the liberty of sending you some of our general literature under 

 Beparate cover, which may be of interest to you. I am glad indeed to hear from 

 you and shall be glad to meet you any time you might come to New York, or should 

 be pleased to have you write me, should you feel so inclined at any time. 



Yours very truly, 



P. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary. 



(4) August 23, 1915. 



Señor Juan F. Centellas, General Inspector of Fauna. Havana, Cuba. 



Dear Sir: Upon receipt of your Ictter of August 10, I wrote to five of our 

 leading American ornithologists and requested their opinions upon the relation of 

 Vultures to hog cholera, I inclose herewith replies received fron three of them. 

 One, Mr. E. H. Forbush, the New England Agent of this Association, and also 

 State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, tells me that he has written you direct in 

 answer to a letter from you. Another, Dr. Henshaw, chief of the bureau af Biological 

 Survey, United States Department of Agricultnre, has not yet answered me. When 

 his reply comes I will be glad to forward it. 



Yours very truly, 



F. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary. 



August 23, 1915. 



Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, 1974 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 



Dear Mr. Pearson : In response to your letter about the vulture as a carrier 

 of hog cholera, I may say that this subject has not as yet been given a careful 

 scientific investigation. Your correspondent may be the same as one to whom we 

 replied a few days ago, namely, Dr. B. J. Crespo, Chief of Veterinary Service, 

 Department of Agriculture, Havana, Cuba. We gave the Information noted above, 

 and stated that the investigations that have been made about the bussard in relation 

 to other stock diseases have resulted favorably rather than unfavorably for the 

 bird. Accounts of these investigations are contained in the .\merican Veterinary 

 Review, Vol. 42, No. 1, October, 1912, pp. 70-75, and in Bulletin No. 136, Loui- 

 Biana Agricultural Experiment Station, November, 1912. 



Trusting that this information may be of valué to you, I am, 



Very truly yours, 



(Signad) E. W. Nelson, Acting Chief, Biological Survey. 



