1850 TO 1865 319 



account of the strong breeze. If Mary's complaint is only of the 

 nerves and has nothing to do with the organs of respiration, I should 

 think it a very good place for her. Harriet tells me that they were 

 talking last summer of building a new hotel; if one is put up perhaps 

 more style is observed than in the old house. 



2d. As to collecting fishes? I should consider it the very best 

 place on the Jersey coast. You have the bay and sea close by, and 

 little creeks in the meadows which are not far off. Lots of fishermen, 

 amateurs as well as professional. 



3rd. As to reptiles Good In the woods and cedar swamps I 

 think there must be some new species. 



4th. There are plenty of birds (aquatic) on the beach and in the 

 meadows and a great abundance of the smaller land-birds in the 

 woods a mile or two off. By the middle or last of July the migratory 

 shore birds begin to return and by 1st September they swarm. There 

 are many that stay and breed. No eggs to be had so late in the 

 season, except perhaps a few laid by birds whose nests had been 

 destroyed two or three times. It is not very comfortable after the 

 beginning of September, at least, visitors leave Cape Island at that 

 time. There are plenty of green fields near Beasley's and good rides, 

 though the scenery is flat. Mosquitoes are "mighty unsartin," some- 

 times they come in swarms enough to eat you up bodily, at other times, 

 there are none. Generally speaking they are not very bad at Cape 

 Island and Beasley's I would suppose is about the same. You can do 

 a big business in getting birds' skins, if the birds are not moulting. 



On the whole I think you would enjoy yourself amazingly, though 

 I doubt whether Mary would find it so pleasant. If you will write 

 to Richard Holmes he can tell you all about the tavern, as he has been 

 a great deal at Beasley's. . . . 



Yours affectionately, 



WM. M. BAIRD. 



From Spencer F. Baird to Dr. John Edward Hallowell. 



WASHINGTON, May 12, 1854. 

 MY DEAR DOCTOR: 



In reference to the matter of reptiles of Heermann's collection, 

 I certainly would not hesitate in your place to send any specimens 

 you may have to spare, to Mr. Dumeril for the Paris Museum. As 



