Panama, 1952 : to visit the Canal Zone Biological Area and collect bird specimens along the Rio Indio and on Taboga Island. Correspondence, expense records, news clippings, reference materials, travel notes, film notes, itinerary, and memorabilia; Correspondents include John Enos Graf, Louise M. Pearson, Eugene Eisenmann, Matthew Williams and Marion Illg Stirling, and James Zetek

Abstract

Alexander Wetmore traveled to Panama in 1952 to visit the Canal Zone Biological Area and collect bird specimens along the Río Indio and on Taboga Island. He was assisted by Watson Perrygo. Materials include correspondence, itemized expense records, news clippings, reference materials, travel notes, film notes, itinerary, and memorabilia. Correspondents include John Enos Graf, Louise M. Pearson, Eugene Eisenmann, Matthew Williams and Marion Illg Stirling, and James Zetek. Correspondence discusses travel arrangements, plans with colleagues, on-going business of the Smithsonian, and needed improvements to the Barro Colorado Island Laboratory. There is discussion of a possible connection between the birds of Panama and an infection inflicting the human population in 1952. Blood smears collected by Wetmore in the spring of 1952 were analyzed in relation to the possible connection.

Date Range

1952

Start Date

Jan 02, 1952

End Date

Dec 17, 1952

Access Information

Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu.

Topic

• Animals
• Birds
• Ornithology

Place

• Panama
• Taboga
• Indio, Río
• Canal Zone

Form/Genre

• Fieldbook record
• Field notes
• Correspondence
• Memorabilia
• Itineraries

Accession #

SIA RU007006

Collection name

Alexander Wetmore Papers, circa 1848-1979 and undated

Physical Description

1 field book

Physical Location

Smithsonian Institution Archives

Sublocation

Box 154 Folder 2