1850 TO 1865 381 



late, I have not had time to attend to our favorite pursuit, but hope 

 to be looking up something as soon as I go up to the logging camp. 

 Wishing you the compliments of the season, I am, 



Yours very truly, 



GEORGE A. BOARDMAN. 



From Elliott Cones to Spencer F, Baird. 



FORT WHIPPLE, A. T. July 26, 1865. 

 MY DEAR PROFESSOR, 



The Santa Fe mail now accumulated for three months reached 

 here yesterday. There is most unaccountable delay in establishing 

 the expresses, long after the contract has been out. There is reason 

 to believe that within a month or so, however, the connection between 

 Albuquerque and Los Angeles or San Bernardino, via this place, will 

 have been established. 



Among some 35 letters that the mail brought me, were six from 

 you, ranging in date from March 4 to May 14. Also the desideratum, 

 the list of identifications came to hand. Not a paper or pamphlet 

 however. At some point after leaving steam, all printed matter is 

 either unceremoniously appropriated, or given the "go by." 



Your letters were the first definite intimation I have had about 

 my boxes sent last fall. I need not conceal my great gratification 

 that they should have turned out so valuable and interesting. I had 

 of course hoped for one or two new species; but I had no idea that 

 there would be so many. And I am proportionately elated. It 

 would have been hard for me to have come 2500 miles to make a 

 failure! I hope too there is something interesting among the mammals 

 and alcoholics eggs I have "funked" on: because, imprimis, I can- 

 not find nests, never could, (except catbirds); secundus, all through 

 the season I was ordered off on Indian scouts, and had no chance. 

 Indeed, the Indians have all along cramped every movement; were 

 it not for them, my collections would have been much larger and 

 more varied. 



Since I wrote last, between fighting Indians, being partially sick 

 and partially lazy, I have done but little. Got nothing additional 

 that I know of at this moment. 



