io 4 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



to Long's. Did not see a single bird worth shooting, of any kind. 

 On Wednesday, I was out. Thursday went out with Mr. Husten, 

 to dam, down creek to I st Bottom, & home by (Le Tort) spring. 

 Shot a Baldpate and fired at three female Ruddy ducks above Wise's 

 Bridge. Killed two and wounded the other, which escaped. They 

 are tamer than Blue Wing teal or Butter balls, letting you walk right 

 up to them. Coming up by the spring Mr. Husten Shot 5 Snipe in 

 Poorhouse Meadow. He shoots snipe very well. Friday staid at 

 home. Saturday went out to dam, and killed two Ring ducks at 

 a shot out of a flock of 9. Shot also a Young Male Red Head. It 

 was feeding in the mud along shore, Just above Black's house. This 

 morning went out but found only Butterballs on the dam. There 

 were 4 or 5 flocks of from 10 to 50 each. I fired once into a flock of 

 them all with their heads under their wings, asleep. I wounded three 

 and got two of them. The next time I fire at Sleeping ducks I will 

 make them hold out their heads. I ought to have killed six or ten 

 out of the flock. I could have shot plenty more of these ducks, but 

 I did not want them. Of the ducks shot I have Stuffed a Ruddy 

 duck, a Ringneck and the Redhead, all in very interesting plumage, 

 different all of them from the specimens we have got already. I intend 

 to go out every morning if possible, to the dam, for an hour or two, 

 so as to see if any thing is there worth Shooting. 



Aunt Valey in a letter to Aunt Blaney says that J. K. Townsend 

 has lost his office. How did this happen if it is so? 



Mother has not yet returned. She will probably do so some time 

 this week. When she comes I will be able to fix on the time of coming 

 on. I think I will ride to Hagerstown and then make Washington 

 in two days. I have not yet determined however; which route 

 would you advise? We are all well. Write soon 



Yours Affectionately 



SP. F. BAIRD. 



From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 



CARLISLE, Nov. 8 th 1843. 

 DEAR WILL, 



I am very much obliged to you for the waistcoat and other 

 articles you sent by George Hilton. They arrived on Monday last 

 and are just what I wanted. 



