336 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 



theory may seem, without seeing the intermediate form. But I have 

 always believed that in the rage for multiplying species varieties 

 are made into species. I have never for instance believed in the spe- 

 cific distinction of our short-eared owl from the European, indeed in 

 this particular case I do not believe it can be called a variety, for I 

 have specimens that are as light-colored as many European specimens 

 and which I cannot separate by any marks whatever. Many of our 

 other allied birds I am willing to have described as separate, whether 

 they should be called species or varieties I do not know, and, in the 

 present undetermined state of the term species, it is hard to say 

 which according to my definition no two species can produce fertile 

 hybrids or permanently fertile to speak exactly, and I therefore 

 consider the N. Mexican turkey to be a variety. I am willing to 

 admit that the domestic variety probably was derived from that 

 source, but I know from my own experience that the domestic turkey 

 with our common wild bird produces a more fertile and healthier 

 and more vigorous offspring than the domestic bird is capable of 

 alone. In all cases however slight the difference may be, if constant, 

 I am ready to admit the specific difference when it seems improbable 

 that one form could have been derived from the other in a manner 

 readily explained, as it can be in most of the Arctic species. But I 

 can't argue on paper, it is too hard work, so look out when I see 

 you again for a worse fight than the Kentuckian had with the bear. 

 Until which believe me 



Y'rs affec. 



HENRY BRYANT 



Please tell Stimpson that 1 am making arrangements about the 

 Labrador trip, and ask him to let me know whether there is any 

 probability of his joining me. I enclose a copy of my letter to my 

 agent so that he can see what I am about. 



During the year (1860) just passed Baird notes that 

 he had written (without the aid of a stenographer) on 

 Smithsonian business 3,050 letters of which about 200 

 were drafts of letters for the use of Professor Henry. On 

 the 22nd of April, 1861, affairs were so unsettled in 



