United States National Museum Dept. of Biology Division of Birds 1897-1947 Search this
Physical description:
Number of Images: 1; Color: Black and white; Size: 7.92w x 10.51h; Type of Image: Document; Medium: Paper
Type:
Document
Paper
Place:
Washington (D.C.)
Sri Lanka
Date:
December 13, 1943
Category:
Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes:
Future Secretary S. Dillon Ripley, formerly assistant curator in the Division of Birds, U.S. National Museum, volunteered for service during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Stationed in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, he continued his ornithological passion with bird field studies in his free time. Having traveled widely in the South Pacific before the war, he knew the geography, natural history and languages of the region.
Summary:
Letter from S. Dillon Ripley to US National Museum curator of birds Herbert S. Friedmann says that he is glad to receive a copy of his paper, that he is glad that the types and books are back; and that he is glad that the birds were done over. He writes that the birds were done by an old man called Vandergil, a taxidermist, that Ripley takes with him sometimes, and that he (Ripley) will warn him about the oil glands. He also notes that [Herbert G. Deignan] Bert is starting back and Ripley should follow in a month. He also writes that he shot some swipe (pintail) and ate 'em.
Contained within:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 305, Box 899, Folder: 170221
