UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
ADDRESS REPLY TO 
CHIEF, BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, MarCtl 7, 1921* 
AND REFER TO 
D 
Dr. Alexander Wetmore, 
c/o Consul-General of the United States, 
Calle lavalle 341, 
Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
Dear Dr. Wetmore: 
Your letter of January 19, together with weekly itinerary 
reports covering the period January 2 to 15, appears to have 
"been held up a short time somewhere, as your letter of January 21 
preceded it. 
It is gratifying to know that at least one South American 
country has some fairly good laws for the protection of useful 
Birds, and that you were able to arrange for permission to collect 
specimens. 
I am glad to know that you found the Director of the Zoological 
Gardens cordial, and that you have been able to establish friendly 
relations with other men you have met who are interested in natural 
history in general. I hope that you succeeded in convincing the 
authorities of the inadvisability of introducing the mongoose to kill 
poisonous snakes. I have always feared that this animal might be 
introduced somewhere in South or Central America whence it could easily 
work its way northward into the United States. 
The package of books and pamphlets containing information 
on game laws, etc., was received, and, as you request, will be kept 
together for your use in preparing your report. 
With best wishes, I am. 
Very truly yours. 
P. S. - A shipment of specimens comprising boxes numbered from 
1 to 6 has just arrived from you, and we have not yet had time 
to unpack them, but this material will be given immediate 
attention and you will be advised of its condition. 
