- 2 - 
The frigate bird that you sent in has just come up from the 
Taxidermy Shop made into a very good skin. I hope that you are successful 
in getting the swallow. 
This probably will be ray last letter to you since I assume that 
by the time it reaches you you will be packing and closing up your affairs for 
your return. This is predicated upon the assumption that the operation went 
forward according to schedule. I have not seen any of the men recently so do 
not know just where they stand. 
A week ago we had a tremendous rain that broke the drought 
gave us over six inches in one day. I was at the Zoo that noon on some business 
and it rained heavily while Dr. Mam and I were eating on the porch at the 
restaurant. When I came back to the Museum the water was spouting out of the 
manholes from the huge storm sewer on Constitution Avenue. A half hour later 
I went down to Mr. Gilmore’s office and found that the street was filled with 
water. In fifteen minutes it had extended out over the sidewalks on both sides. 
We had no trouble here except for some backing up through the sewer outlets 
but there was difficulty in some of the other buildings nearby. The ground was 
so dry that most of the water soaked in. I went up to the river Sunday alone 
expecting to spend the day in cleaning out boats and other similar tasks but 
was surprised to find that the river had not raised and that the water was clear. 
Naturally we are looking forward to your arrival and to your 
collections. Please give my regards to all my friends, and the thanks of the 
Institution to any who have been of help in our work whom I have not known. 
With my best wishes, I am 
Sincerely yours. 
A. Wetmore, 
Acting Secretary. 
Ip 
