1850 TO 1865 255 



entertained any doubts myself upon the subject, I would have waived 

 them to the better judgment of one so much more competent to 

 decide. It may yet be that it belongs to a different genus from the 

 oenanthe, but be the bird designated as oenanthoides. In that case 

 what becomes of the right of priority? Must we retain the specific 

 name oenanthoides? If not, I propose to call it after our friend 

 Cassin. No one is more entitled by his ornithological research to be 

 so complimented, and he has not, that I am aware, been noticed in 

 that way as he deserves. 



I have been engaged this winter in getting together as complete 

 a set of drawings of varieties of eggs and of new species as possible 

 and in preparing to commence the text to accompany the drawings. 

 After all, the drawings constitute the great basis and corner-stone 

 of the work. They are an essential element as well as the whole 

 novelty or nearly the whole. A portion of the account of nesting, 

 description of eggs etc. is new, but a large part must also be taken 

 from others. I mean between this and next winter to get ready 

 all my notes to all the birds of prey, and then with that and all the 

 drawings, a complete idea of the scope and character of the entire 

 work may be had. 



Yours very truly, 



T. M. BREWER. 



From Spencer F. Baird to George P. Marsh, Constantinople. 



WASHINGTON, February 9th, 1851. 

 MY DEAR MR. MARSH: 



Don't accuse me of intentional neglect in not answering your 

 two letters (Aug. 23 and Oct. 19) at an earlier date. Hoping from day 

 to day to hear of the keg, and next to report its arrival, I delayed 

 writing until I got out of all patience. In this unhappy frame of 

 mind, I wrote to lasigi & Goddard, and lo! the keg came on by return 

 of Express. This was late last night, and as to-day is Sunday, I must 

 defer the aperture (will this word do?) until to-morrow; after which 

 operation I will report further. A thousand thanks, however, for 

 your kindness and consideration, whether the fishes be in good or 

 bad odor. 



