SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 
(u 
Dear Mr. Banko: 
This is just a short note of comment on the Droppings from the Eagles 
Roost for March 2, 1964. We realize that these comments are probably 
out of place but we and several other members of the party were distressed 
to learn that John Dennis is working on a guide to the birds of the 
central Pacific. A basic literature search has been made on this 
area and all the important sources are known to each party leader and 
most members of the group. Further literature summary seems pointless 
at this time since much of the literature is either misleading or 
incorrect. Literature searches by persons unfamiliar with the area 
or with the birds merely tend to compound inaccuracy and repeat error. 
(A case in point is that Lesser Frigates were almost unknown from the 
central Pacific until we found breeding colonies in the Phoenix Islands. 
However, if you read the literature carefully and can recognize the 
birds from photographs and drawings there are a number of references to 
large colonies which were misidentified as Greater Frigates, but which, 
in reality, were Lesser Frigates.) In short, a field guide should be 
written only by people who are experienced in bird recognition and who 
are familiar with the birds of the area. 
The information for breeding species has been summarized at the end 
of each ATF trip and should not be further condensed except by the 
original compiler. It was understood that the final write-up for the 
Phoenix and Line Islands would be done at the end of the project 
and we feel that pro-tern projects by Dennis dealing with this data • 
would both be incautious and unwise. All that could safely be done 
