SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
April ??, 1964 
(Mrs.) Maryanna Smellow 
Division of Birds 
Smithsonian Institution 
Washington 25, D.C. 
Dear Maryanna: 
Enclosed you will find A the letter I wrote to Mr. John Bushman con¬ 
cerning the ticks I collected and sent to him via Ken Amerman. I suppose 
you also received the info copies of the TWX* s concerning the shipment. 
I hope that the number will be sufficient. If they want more, I hope that 
they specify how they want them sent. At the present time they are very 
plentiful, but only on one portion of the island. 
Will you find out if blood samples are wanted from here by DTC? I 
would prefer to take the samples rather than have them send someone doi^n 
here (like the chief). Just have them let me know how many they want. I 
would suggest 10 samples from each species (and age groups where possible). 
I believe that all the necessary supplies are here for taking samples. 
There would have to be a dry ice shipment, however, so they could be sent 
back. The freezer still has not arrived, but hopefully it vdll arrive $$ 
shortly. If samples are wanted, the freezer should be located and speeded 
on down here. 
Since the tick population has exploded I think it best that I stay 
out here at least until the end of May. By that time maybe even the bird 
washing machine will be out here. This added time will be needed for the 
current study. I don't know who will replace me, but someone should be 
alerted. I would also like to possibly go to Eniwetok and Kwajelierv before 
returning to DC, to survey the bird fauna each place. It should be done 
sometimes. I could leave here on Sunday, get to Kwajelien that day, leave 
on the Wednesday flight for Eniwetok and return to Honolulu on the following 
Monday flight. Since I want to stay down here on Sand a little longer it 
may be best to put this trip off until a later date. Orders would have to 
be cut for the trio also, I suooose. 
Since reIv yours, 
A. B. Amerson, Jr. 
Research Curator, Pacific Project 
Division of Birds 
cc: Dr. C. A. Ely 
P.S. Will you send several of those large mailing tubes and two of the 
smaller ones. We are completely out of them. T used the last two (and 
only two) for the above shipment. 
