Ycm should, investigate carefully those species of North 
American birds which migrate to southern South America in order 
to learn their distribution, the areas where the bulk of the 
individuals winter, the status of these species with regard to 
present agricultural conditions, and the likelihood of the effect 
of future developments along agricultural lines with respect to 
the continuance of these birds. 
In addition, you should make careful inquiry regarding 
game laws and other laws covering the conservation and protection 
of wild birds, and should also secure information as to public 
sentiment in regard to the protection of birds and the likelihood 
of securing active cooperation should protective treaties between 
the various countries be put into effect. 
Pacts should be secured as to the killing of birds of all 
kinds for food, and attempts should be made to formulate an idea of 
the effect of this hunting on the bird life of the country in general. 
Information is desired regarding the approximate number of birds killed, 
the centers where these are marketed, the prices which they bring, and 
whether these are being shipped under cold storage for use abroad. 
Such information is especially desirable in regard to our North American 
species that occur in South America during a part of the year. 
You should also endeavor to ascertain the basis for the rumors 
regarding the breeding of certain species which are currently considered 
as North American during their sojourn in South America. 
Incidental to your work of investigation of North American migrants 
you should take every opportunity to collect representatives of species 
of the local fauna so far as this may be done without interfering with 
the objects of the trip. Such specimens, properly prepared, should be 
forwarded direct to the Biological Survey. 
It is especially desirable to secure a representative collection 
of the stomachs of birds, particularly of our migrant species in order 
that we may have information regarding the food habits of these species 
in the south. Care should be taken to secure any data regarding the 
economic status of such species of our birds as frequent cultivated areas, 
and any claims of damage by these species should be carefully investigated 
Further instructions for this work will be furnished you from time 
