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[[check mark]]R/8 [[preprinted]] SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, D C.,^[[31st August]]18 ^[[82]] [[/preprinted]] To Professor Spenser F. Baird Director of U.S. National Museum etc Sir. In obedience to your request of the 23d inst. I have the honor to report that during the past two months but little has been done in the Section of Bird Skeletons. This inactivity has been due to circumstances over which I have had no control and not to any lack of interest on the part of the Curator, for home or abroad, be the circumstances what they may, I will always be ready to enlist my best endeavor in the interest of science and the Institution, and actively in the welfare of the Section of which you so kindly placed me in charge. I am Sir With great respect [[signature]] R. W. Shufeldt [[/signature]] Hon. Cur. Sect. Osteology.