February 16, 1968

Dr. Jak H. Mendelson

Chief, National Center for Prevention
and Control of Alcoholism,

National Institute of Mahtal Health

5454 Wisconsin Avenue

Chevy Chase, Maryland 20203

Dear Dr. Mendelson:

The enclosed clipping on robins consuming fermented pyracantha berries is
about the only documentation I have been able to find on this natural
phenomenon. I am sure I have also read recusesht reports of this sort of
thing from spring to spring, in the New York Times, but have not been able
to find them, nor has a rather limited search turned up any scientific
literature on the subject.

I did talk to the Mr. Dan Clark who is mentioned in the Palo Alto Times
article, and found this very entertaining but not particularly useful from
the apoint of view of natural history.

We were both readily able to exchange reminiscences about a pet dog and
pet cat, respectively, who had both developed a taste for one specific
alcoholic beverage, namely cognac. The alcohol conceivably might be in-

cidental, but perhaps that observation should not be dismissed too hastily.

Sincerely yours,

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics

SL

VOS 7404 AW