SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
WASHINGTON 25. D. C. 
April 4, 1964 
Mr. Winston Banko 
Division of Birds 
Smithsonian Institution 
Washington 25, D.C. 
Dear Mr. Banko: 
I am finally getting around to commenting on some of the Circular 
Letters, etc. We have been quite busy and I have not had time to think 
about some of the proce#dures uhtil the present. Since the March 16 - 
31 progress report was due, we decided to utilize the procedures set 
forth in C.L.#4. Basically the BI-WEEKLY BIRD SUMMARY REPORT is just 
what the field groups need for reporting population estimates, etc. 
I do have a few comments, however, of which some are vary minor and some 
major. 
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The form given as an example seems to contain the most important 
catagories. Some of the columns and spaces provided are in some cases 
too small and some too large. Some instructions need to be expanded. 
1. The first date column is too narrow. At least five typewritter 
spaces are needed for inclusive dates (i.e*, 16-30* Otherwise 
one would have to squeeze the two figures one above the other. 
This can be done, however, if the space was needed elsewhere, 
but this does not appear to be the case. The spaces alloted for 
the date column (#12 and 16) can be cut since the nest survey will 
usually be made on the last day of the reporting period. 
All three of the Relative Class columns can be cut down since on 
one letter will be used in each space. 
Columns #3, 10, 13 , 15, 17, and 1° can be enlarged since at times 
large numbers will be used. 
Number of nests column: This one can be confusing if the instruc¬ 
tions are not detailed. Active burrows, nests, etc. can mean 
different things to some individuals. For instance one can inter¬ 
pret this as only nests with eggs, but what about the nests that 
are just being builtMy suggestion is that this mean only nests 
with eggs and young. If one wants to know how many nests with 
eggs there are, he can subtract the no. of young present. 
Number of young column: This should mean the number of rests 
with young. This will not be confusing except with birds which 
might have more than one young per nest (i.e., boobies). 
Age of young column: Giving estimates of percent for each age 
class is excellent when dealing with large numbers or multiples 
When snail numbers are encountered, it seems best that 
ect_count in each class would be better. 
ten. 
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‘ 
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