25 



This afternoon I had a call from two Chinese. They are collectors sent 

 out by the China National Government, which is building up a museum of natural 

 history in Nanking. One is collecting birds, and the other fish and reptiles 

 The collector of birds was glad to purchase the duck which I did not want. They 

 knew about me from the reports of new species ^ have sent in published by Dr. 

 Stejneger, new species of frogs, lizards, snakes, etc. 



I received word today from the Royal M±£&tc Society that I am now a 

 fellow of that society, with the degree F.R.G.S. This seems strange in a way. 

 All my collections have gone to our own National Museum, but this recognition came 

 from the British Geographical Society. 



Dec. 1. Today I secured a gull that is much whiter than those I have 

 sent in before, and also a large sparrow hawk or kite that seems to be different 

 from those previously sent in. 



My busy season is over tonight, and in a few days I expect to take a 

 trip in which I can do some collecting. I want to send in my financial report 

 soon, and to mail several more boxes of specimens. 



Dec. 2. Labelled boxes 468, 469, 470, skeletons and 471 fish. 



Dec. 5-4. Filled box 472, birdskins . Purchased a live hare, and one 

 bird. Mailed boxes 468-471. Mammal no. 517. Worked until midnight fixing the hare. 



Dec. 5. Filled box no. 475, birds and rabbit, skins . 



The netter Lai collected water insects. I gave him a lesson about skinning 



birds . 



Dec. 6. Today I purchased the skin of a wild dog or wolf that was killed 

 by a Chinese hunter two or three days ago. It is a wild animal but looks as if it 

 might be a half breed — half tame dog and half some wild animal . Mammal no. 518. 



I have been purchasing birds killed by Chinese hunters . This is really 

 cheaper than shooting them myself, and I have the pick of what a large number of 

 native hunters are getting. 



