4 
Sanford’s contribution to the expenses of assistants. You will make every 
effort to first secure as nearly as possible the full list of the specimens 
desired for the study series of the American Museum as set forth in Doctor 
Murphy’s letter. In addition, so far as opportunity provides, you should 
secure specimens to complete the further requirements in Doctor Murphy’s 
list. 
You should make a special effort to get two or three representatives 
at least of the immature plumages of each of the species breeding on the • 
islands and also three or four sets of eggs of each, where it is practicable. 
In connection with the collecting on the islands I desire to call 
your attention to the need of carefultyteupervising the taking of the rare land 
species peculiar to each island which may exist there in so small a number 
as to large a collection of these birds might endanger them. That is a matter 
for your judgment to determine. Where these peculiar species of land birds 
exist in sufficient numbers I would like to have for our collection a good 
working series. In the matter of the Laysan leal, the number which you should 
take will depend upon the number on the island. It has been reported that 
thirty or forty of them were seen there at one time not long since. Another 
report gives the number as two individuals. Should the former report be 
true and any considerable number exist, you should take a generous number 
of them for the collections, owing to the danger of these birds being ex¬ 
terminated, but be sure to leave enough so that there will be reasonable 
certainty the birds will have opportunity to reproduce next spring and thus 
renew the number. 
Apparently Wake Island is of considerable size and the bin! fauna 
is but little known. While there you should make a special effort to get 
a good substantial series of everything not occurring on Laysan, iron 
albatrosses to any land birds. Any land birds occurring there are probably 
peculiar to the island and special effort should be made to get a series of 
them. It will be well to make a special search here for the Pacific seal 
Which, is likely to occur. These seals are also found occasionally on Laysan 
and whenever you have opportunity you should not fail to get specimens of 
them. Should you be able to do so you ought to secure at least ten specimens. 
They are so rare and live in such a remote region that they are almost un¬ 
known in scientific collections. Efforts should be made to secure adult 
specimens with one or two of the small young to represent that stage of 
development. Should the species not be represented in the Bishop Museum 
and you secure enough so that an adult could be spared for them you could 
turn one over to Professor Gregory. 
Mr. Donald H. Dickey will accompany the expedition at his own expense 
to take moving and still pictures. You should do everything in your power 
to facilitate his work. Ee will supply the Biological Survey with copies 
for its use. He will probably desire to return direct from Laysan after 
completing his pictures there. This should be provided for if possible on 
any boat returning during the progress of the expedition. 
