64 REPOR!.OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1908. 
Major Bendire undertook the preparation of the Life Histories of 
North American Birds he found an enthusiastic supporter in Doctor 
Ralph, who proceeded forthwith to contribute specimens and notes 
with the object of making the undertaking a success. The two pub- 
lished volumes 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 productus). ! 
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 bis health the third volume of this work was 
incomplete at the time of hic death. Doctor Ralph 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 
eray 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 Ralph was invariably cheerful and 
optimistic, mild mannered, and of a gentle and unselfish disposition. 
Tiis loss will be keenly felt by his friends and associates. 
Prof. W. O. Atwater, of Wesleyan 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 daily expenditure of 
bodily tissue. 
3 
