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Femelle is now in stage 2 of intro to Niki: they can make contact through 
the bars. He lunges. She keeps just out of reach. Today Clint was more 
optimistic about Tomoka: weight, appearance, etc. Now thinks we might 
do well to seek a mate. So we'll do nothing for the present, since opinions 
are shifting. Russell Arundel writes that he might want to go back to 
Africa, and do we want a mate, and what about "H factor"? From my 
talks with Baudy, I suspect East Africa may not be a good place for 
American citizens to operate just now. 
Just saw Bethea at the hospital. Diagnosis not definite. Still running 
EKG's twice a day, plus Xrays. 
All Smithonsian museums are closing Mondays. 
Monday or Monday-Tuesday closing won't help us enough to matter. Short of 
reducing the collection, which is certainly the last thing we should consider, 
we might gain some relief by other means. We could close a building, for 
example, either altogether or except on weekends. This would reduce keeper 
work. We'll be looking for such expedients and ‘doing work-ups on then, 
though no decisions are likely to be needed until after January 1. We 
have 25 vacancies now, including the 7 new positions. This 18 vacancies, 
versus a normal lapse of 11 or 12. We'll have two or three more shortly, 
but we also have some possible hires. The need will be to take our 
steps in the weas where vacancies occur. 
Talked with Throp about sending two of hhe new female Galapagos to him. 
Proposal: that they be on deposit, on WAPT recommendation; that Hhrop agree 
to put all their progeny under WAPT management; that we have a claim to 
future surplus males; and that he pay air freight costs. 
Sam Beeler told Artis he hoped to be out in June, and presumably back here. 
Moving ahead on contracts, with some bobbles. Contractor about ready to. 
our first floor on new building. 7 . 
Talked with David Scott about the bear sculpture. The sculptor writes that 
he wants us to have it, that it weighs more than half a ton, made of 
porphyry, and worth $18000. Scott will find outmore about him and his work : 
before we take on such a moving job. 
Don B reports we got the Bean Award for the elf owl. I'd left by then. 
More anon. Hope all your plans go well! 
