OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 
5010-104 
i 
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 
Memorandum 
to : Dr. Ely and All Eield Party Members 
date: April 20, 1964 
from : Winston Banko 
subject: Special collection needs 
1* In examining specimens of tentatively identified green-winged 
teal from Midway, it has Become apparent that there is a critical need 
for more specimens of this kind from the Central Pacific in order to 
make accurate racial determination. Mrs. Boxie Leybourne of the EWS 
Bird and Mammal Laboratories 8 staff at the Museum has requested: 
a. that any such specimens obtained not be put up as permanent 
study- r skins, but only skinned out and stuffed with crumpled news¬ 
paper: and 
b. that particular care be taken to record details of habitat 
(freshj brackish, or salt water) and all bird associates, especially 
other teal found with the specimen when collected. 
2. It has turned out that fairy terns utilize foods different from 
the normal fare of other oceanic birds. A widespread series of fairy 
tern stomachs is therefore needed for food item identification and com¬ 
parative studies. Hone have been collected to date by the Survey• 
3. .Every effort should be made to collect a series of stomachs from 
representatives of the Charadriiformes, Anatidae, and Scolopacidae during 
the migratory period this spring. Individual- representatives of these 
families which can be taken at sea or on arrival at islands (or shortly 
after arrival) will be especially valuable. Duck stomachs should be 
preserved in 70$ alcohol where possible, others in 10$ formalin. Be 
sure to perforate the heavier muscular tracts, such as the gizzard, and 
cover the stomach with preservative to make sure contents are preserved 
in as good a condition as possible. 
Such a collection taken in th© Central Pacific when these 
migratory species are moving long distances in a short time may permit the 
identification of the probable islands or continental land masses visited 
on migration by the individual birds from identification of such hard food 
remains as seeds, shells, and chitinized insect parts to the species level 
and knowledge of the species distribution of the plants, molluscs, crus- 
ta^eans, insects, marine worms, small fish represented. Ho one, to our 
knowledge at least, has systematically explored such a possibility before. 
