The Health Service is using its utmost efforts to restrict 
the plague in Porto Rico to the places it has already entered, and 
I have very little doubt that the Service will be able to prevent 
anything like a general epidemic. In considering the question, 
however, as respects yourself, you must exercise your own discre- 
tion. You ought not to enter plague- infected districts if you can 
possibly avoid it; and if the infection becomes general, and you 
feel you are exposing yourself to danger by your >vork, you may 
consider that you are authorized to stop the work and return to 
V/ashington. 
It would be particularly unfortunate for you to leave Porto 
Rico without touching the southwestern district, where, perhaps, 
are to be expected some of the most interesting results attending 
your work. If the present time of year favors work in that dis- 
trict and the plague has not reached there, it mij^t be a good 
idea for you to transfer your operations to that region and make 
sure of a collection of birds from there. However, use your own 
discretion as to this. 
Very truly yours 
Chief, -Bioiogtearlr-SurTey 
LL 
H.B. On. consult! nr: the map of your route I find you nave already 
been in the southwest part of the Hand and that near Lares \ 
the noint from which you wrote your letter) is the place vmere 
RiclOiWnd eouDected you might be able to find the Parroquet now, 
although it,^ is extinct or nearly so. The last- paragrapn of my 
letter , therefore , has no pertinsnce and can he disregarciea* 
