December 22, 1947. 
The Honorable, 
The Secretary ol Stabs, 
Washington 25, E>. C. 
Sir: 
I beg to advise that the Smithsonian Institution desires to 
continue biological investigations, concerned particularly with birds, 
in Panamd that were begun last year. Under plans now in prepa¬ 
ration we wish to send Mr. Watson M. Perrygo, on the stall of the 
U, S. national Museum, to the Republic ol Panama about January 15, 
1948. I expect to go to Panamd myself some time in February to join 
Mr. Perrygo, and will work with him lor a period of several weeks. 
Our studies will be entirely scientific and will be in con¬ 
tinuance of recent work relative to the ornithology of Paaami that I 
have carried on since 1944. The results will be published and will be 
available to scientists in Panamd and in our own country. The work 
as indicated is official on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution and the 
U. S. National Museum. It will be appreciated if the American Mission 
in **anamd City may be requested to inform the appropriate department 
of the Republic of Panamd, on behalf of the President of Panamd of 
these proposed investigations. 
Th e specimens of birds required are obtained by shooting 
with shotguns, using small shot. 1 am not sufficiently familiar with 
the laws of Panamd to be informed as to whether an arms permit is re¬ 
quired or not. No other facilities will be necessary on behalf of the 
government. 
I may explain that for the work of March and April, 1947, thanks 
to the kind offices of our Mission in Panami City, I received a certifi¬ 
cate from the Honorable Ricardo J. Alfaro, Ministro de Relaciones 
Exteriores, recognizing our work which was ail that was required at 
that time. 
Respectfully yours. 
A. Wetmore, 
Secretary. 
Ip 
