1850 TO 1865 365 



by some traders' train, which will cost comparatively little. If you 

 do not feel justified in having it bought at S. I. expense, I can shoulder 

 the bills myself. 



The train for Fort Whipple goes in four or five days. I am on 

 duty with the command in my official position from the start. I am 

 told that I must be very careful about wandering around the country, 

 as it is full of hostile Apaches. However, that don't worry me at all. 

 I would do some collecting here at Santa Fe, but there seems to be 

 nothing but Carpodacus and Hirundo and I must economize shot. I 

 have the fullest notes on all the birds observed during the journey; 

 place, date, habits, number, etc. You may be sure I take these 

 carefully. 



Santa Fe is a wretched place in my way of thinking. If here, I 

 should either be sick with ennui, or become dissipated and loafer- 

 ish, neither of which I propose to do. I have got a tangible, definite 

 object in view big enough to claim all my time and energies and I 

 intend to let it do so. 



I received a big package of letters from Washington when I 

 arrived here, among them one from Osbert Salvin concerning his 

 Laridae. I was disappointed, though, in not having one from you, 

 nor from any gentlemen at the Smithsonian. You must not forget 

 me, Kennicott knows how valuable letters are to poor fellows in my 

 fix. Have my papers appeared yet? Please send a few copies of 

 each of them. Direct as before to Santa Fe, care Medical Director 

 O. M. Bryan, U.S.A. My kindest regards to Mrs. Baird and Miss 

 Lucy and remembrances to the Megatheria at the Smithsonian. 



Yours most sincerely, 



ELLIOTT COUES. 



From Elliott Coues to Spencer F. Baird, 



FORT WHIPPLE, ARIZONA, August I 1864. 

 DEAR PROF, 



My letters to you from Santa Fe will already have informed you 

 how I didn't go to Fort Garland, how Dr. Beers and I were separated; 

 and how I came here. I have just arrived here and assumed charge 

 of the Hospital and am at present getting official matters in running 



