Director's Report for igrj. 7 



Parker for comment, but not yet returned. As mentioned in the 

 previous Report, an understanding of the heiau subject was ob- 

 tained from these accounts not possible by other means today. 



"Being requested by the Director to report on the remains of 

 the ancient feather sash belonging to the Museum, the same was 

 studied and the pattern worked out. A study of its technique, 

 however, required a minute examination of other specimens of 

 feather work which is proceeding and will, it is hoped, result in a 

 paper on the technique of Hawaiian feather work. 



"Traveling Exhibit. — Five of the padded compartment 

 cases to hold the casts for this exhibit have been prepared by the 

 carpenter. However, all of the specimens selected have not been 

 cast, as Mr. Thompson must give his first attention to the perish- 

 able fish and fruit as they are found. 



"Mould in Cases. — This was brought up in my report for 

 1915 and suggestions made for a remed}-. However, an experi- 

 ment of continually burning electric lights in the cases was tried 

 and while the mould was reduced, it was not eliminated. At the 

 beginning of this 3 ear the lights were turned off for a month, and 

 the mould returned more abundantly than ever. It would now be 

 well to take up the matter of damp-proofing the cases. 



"Work Outside the Department. — The Ha-a'aiian Rat. 

 Living specimens of the supposedly extinct native rat were sent to 

 Dr. Witmer Stone of Philadelphia in 191 5 for description. His 

 manuscript was not received until the last week of 19 16, and was 

 published in 191 7. with additional notes by the Curator.' 



"This year specimens of the Fanning Lsland rat were received 

 from Mr. W. H. C. Greig, and appear distinct from the Hawaiian 

 species. Dr. Stone was asked if he would care to examine them 

 for description if necessary, but since he has not replied, it may be 

 presumed that he will be unable to do so. In one of his letters he 

 expressed the fear that his increasing ofilice and editorial work 

 would compel him to abandon his systematic work. 



"Legislation. — While studying the haunts of the native rat 

 the attention of the Curator was drawn to the wanton destruction 

 b}- human beings of the native bird life on the coastal islands of 



' Occasional Papers, Vol. Ill, No. 4. 



[253] 



