SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
Blood Sampling 
I was distressed by the message from Dr# Sudduth saying Chief Girgosian 
will require minimal assistance from the Smithsonian Party ( copy of message 
enclosed)# I think the record should be put straight with Dr# Sudduth as to how 
much time it takes to collect blood samples and how much extra work this involves* 
1# All identification is done by Smithsonian 
2* All locating and catching of birds is done by Smithsonian 
3# All holding of birds while blood sample is being taken is done by 
Smithsonian* 
4# All blood samples from small birds. (Shearwaters and below) are taken by 
Smithsonian* This means over half the samples# 
5# All hunting and shooting of cats or birds is done by Smithsonian# 
On an island like McKean where the birds are walking underfoot it took six 
hours to obtain 150 samples with all people working at a fast pace. On an island 
like Baker each cat sample represents 20 man hours of hunting# 
The chief does a wonderful job of running samples and certainly relieves the 
party of considerable work, but over a third of our evening time is spent on blood 
collecting instead of banding* 
Last minute request for blood samples make it difficult to make a logical 
schedule* The request this time could have resulted in a three day delay at Canton 
Fortunately an extra flight came in a few days before the requlari^ flightaad 
we were not delayed ( i.e# only lost one day) 
In view of the emphasis in the message on if minimal assistance 1 * and no change 
in schedule we will continue to use only 25-35 percent of our time for blood 
collecting# Will not even attempt to chase such things as Whimprels, Sanderlungs 
and don f t expect much luck on Bristle-tassled Curlews or Golden Glovers# 
