Smithsonian needs help

[JABIII]

They are looking for an adult blue phased Ross geese for their waterfowl collection. There is a group of them that comes to South Carolina from time to time so keep your eyes peeled for these mallard sized geese. If you take an extra small "blue goose" check close to see that it isn't a Ross. I killed one of these extremly rare birds about 4 years ago on the Wateree out of a flock of 11 that stayed on our place. Wish I had mounted it now...

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (Wash, DC) is seeking donations of Blue Phase Ross's Geese (Chen rossii) for our scientific bird Collections. (We can help pay shipping costs.)

It's hard to believe, but the collections do not have a single representative of this coloration of Ross's Goose. As the third largest bird collection in the world, our collections are used by researchers, wildlife managers, artists, etc. from around the globe for a variety of scientific and conservation endeavours. The addition of a Blue Phase Ross's Goose will help those researchers for hundreds of years to come.

More information about the collections can be found at the following link:

Smithsonian Institution - Division of Birds

What would it involve to donate a Blue Phase Ross's Goose to the Smithsonian Instition's bird collection:

1) Collect a Blue Phase Ross's Goose.

(Leave whole if possible as we would like to record weight data and collect tissue samples.)

2) In addition to providing us a copy of your hunting license, record the following minimum information in pencil or indelible ink and place with specimen: Precise location (Lat/long if possible), Date, and collector's name.

Additional information like color of the softparts (eyes, bill, and feet/legs); habitat; elevation; or behavioral data adds to the value of the specimen(s). Even photos can now be added to our database.

3) Place bird(s) and information in a plastic bag, and freeze as soon as possible.

4) Contact me at my office e-mail schmidtb@si.edu or by phone 202-633-0796 or 202-633-0800 (I can call you back to help with phone charges). Let me know what you have and I will give you shipping information.

5) If you want to send the specimen yourself or want more information on preparing birds for shipment, follow the instructions given on our website:
Preserving and Shipping Birds

6) Upon receipt of the specimen(s), the Division of Birds will send you a thank you letter for your donation. Once cataloged into our collecitons, your name will be associated with the specimen for perpetuity. (If you want we can also send you a photo of the specimen(s) when the are installed into the collections. )

If you have any quesitons or if you want more information, please fell free to contact me, Brian Schmidt, at schmidtb@si.edu or 202-633-0796.

Good luck and be safe!

Brian K. Schmidt
Museum Specialist (and duck hunter)
Smithsonian Institution, Division of Birds
PO BOX 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012

email: schmidtb@si.edu
Phone: 202-633-0796 or 633-0800 (main number)
Fax: 202-633-8084

[MC]

[img]graemlins/thumb2.gif[/img] That's pretty cool. On a similar note, a little easier specimen to come by...a biologist at USC is asking for anyone willing to send him a turkey beard. I gave him one last year and he has run a protien trace and has drawn a genetic link between the wild turkey and reptiles, in particular the alligator. It's pretty interesting research he has going on. He understands the beard is usually something the hunter likes to keep but on the off chance any of you have one you wouldn't mind donating to science he does have a need.

[JABIII]

Ask him to remind us during turkey season. I am sure we could procure him all he can handle...

[MC]

Will do, they also don't have to be fresh kills so anybody with a jake beard stuck on the back shelf in the garage that wants to part with it would be much appreciated too. Of course given that is hasn't half gone to rot.