Director's Report for 1977. 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 ina 
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 remedy. 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 year 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.— Zhe Hawaiian Rat. 
Living specimens of the supposedly extinct native rat were sent to 
Dr. Witmer Stone of Philadelphia in 1915 for description. His 
manuscript was not received until the last week of 1916, and was 
published in 1917, with additional notes by the Curator.’ 
‘“This year specimens of the Fanning Island 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 office 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 
by human beings of the native bird life on the coastal islands of 
* Occasional Papers, Vol. Ill, No. 4. | 
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