SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
v 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
May 28, 1964 
(Mrs*) Maryanna Smellow 
Division of Birds 
Smithsonian Institution 
Washington 25, D.C. 
Dear Maryanna: 
Under separate cover I am sending three rolls of exposed film and 
one roll of developed film and prints. Please try to have the exposed 
film developed and printed by the time I return. If the S.I. photo lab 
does the work, please stress that these cannot be replaced. Some of the 
shots were taken from atop the antenna, looking down on the bird colony. 
I would like 8x10 prints of these. Someone may have to look at the 
film after it is developed to tell the photo lab which ones to enlarge* 
Also under separate cower I am sending a skin of a Red-footed Booby. 
We don't want to keep it out here due to the high humidity. 
I suppose that Dr. Ely has informed you of the current construction 
and repair work on the "C" antenna in the Bird colony. I was extremely 
worried about their effect on the birds when they first arrived. I could 
just see everything destroyed and messed up. We have spent all of our 
time since the crew arrived herding Sooty chicks and moving eggs and chicks 
of other birds. Very few chicks have been killed but a good number of eggs 
have been destroyed. The frigate and booty colonies were not bothered, at 
least so far. The workers have also cooperated fully. A civilian Coast 
Guard inspector is here also (from Honolulu). He is also very cooperative 
and has agreed to put in his report a recommendation that future work be 
done in the late Fall when the bird population is low. I think it best U 
that I stay down here until the work crew leaves, which will be in about 
another 10 days to 2 weeks. 
Enclosed you will find a check which I would like for you to forward 
for me. It is for ny apartment rent for June. Somehow I have misplaced 
the address to send it. Will you look in the phone book and get the address 5 
of the Trenton Park Apartments on Sixth Street S.E. It should be sent to 
a Mrs. Thompson at that address. You might also call and tell them that 
I won't be back until mid June. 
Some other items that we need are as follows: assorted screws, bolts ' 
and nuts, and nails. 4 hinges (1 inch wide). 2 hasps. 2 locks. 
Best regards. 
A. B. Amerson, Jr. 
Division of Birds 
