i.< Sibley and R. Cla 
March 25, 19 6 k 
p.2 
Also, as pointed out in "The Droppings," it is planned to send 
the Bird Guide forms which have been filled out from the punch cards, 
to the field as they become completed so that all personnel will 
l) be alerted to gaps In knowledge, and 2) have an opportunity to make 
corrections wherever such are needed. In this way everyone in the 
Project will cooperate in correcting and keeping the Bird Guide up to 
date. In no sense is the Bird Guide a monopoly of unexperienced 
people here, rather Washington contributors will continue to play the 
sane subordinate role that they have in the past. We consider ourselves 
solely a Service group. 
I further might add that Dr. Humphrey has given long and careful 
thought to the preparation of this Bird Guide. It is something that 
is vitally needed, it is something that we are all participating in, 
and we feel that it will be extremely helpful to every field man. An 
accurate, up-to-date Bird Guide will also greatly facilitate the 
.preparation of the final reports. Dike the other reports prepared to 
date, the Bird Guide is being prepared only for Survey use and is 
preliminary in nature. It is hoped that all field party members will 
participate in keeping it under continual revision as new information 
comes to light. 
Your reference to Greater vs. Desser Frigatebirds was interesting. 
Dr. Ely took the time to furnish that particular item for Droppings - 
I hope I didn't paraphrase his contribution erroneously. But I knew 
nothing of any telegram to collect more until I read of it in your 
recent letter. So coordination without information is indeed a difficult 
task. 
I agr^e with you and Roger that trained field biologists are in 
the best position to write up their findings. But at the same time 
I hope you see the desirability of having people working in the back¬ 
ground doing the time-consuming preliminary preparation work. 
I couldn't agree more whole-heartedly with your remark that the 
fewer people in Washington unacquainted with field work the better. 
Of course, as you say, the ideal situation from the field man's point 
of view is to eliminate desk biologists. However in a 2-1/2 year 
crash program involving our scope and area of interest there seems 
to be a need for the same few people who have the most knowledge to 
do everything at once. John and I, as Gorman before us, are trying 
our best to support and contribute effectively to the Survey within 
the duties assigned to us. So if you have any specific suggestions 
on how us desk types can "succeed better while really trying" we 1 
would be interested to have them. 
Sincerely yours. 
Winston Banko 
c: Dr. Ely with copy of incoming 
