222 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



source of great regret," said Baird, "that I was not able 

 to meet you in Philadelphia when I was there during 

 the latter part of September. I saw Mr. Chevalier 8 

 several times, and found him a very agreeable gentle- 

 man." Audubon replied to this letter on Christmas 

 Day, as follows: 



Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird 



New York, December 25, 1840. 

 My dear sir, 



On my return yesterday from a tour of a month, I found 

 your kind favor of the 10th inst. at my house. I regret ex- 

 ceedingly that you and I should not have met at Philadelphia, 

 as I feel sure by the style and contents of your letters to me 

 that you are fond of the study of natural objects, as much 

 as I am. 



I have no doubt that your journey during the last sum- 

 mer and autumn was a pleasing one to you, as I can well con- 

 ceive from the fresh recollections of my many rambles. 



You would oblige me much by sending me (through Mr. 

 Chevelier) the Muscicapa you obtained Oct. 12th, and also the 

 small woodpecker "with the very broad bill" I am anxious to 

 see those birds, and will take especial care of them, and also 

 return them to you, free of all expense. 



I cannot at this moment return to the specimens you have 

 already sent me, but in my next letter, I will assure you of the 

 names of the subjects. I wish I could see your Bay Lynx, as I 

 feel somewhat confident that we have more than two species 

 within our limits. 



Your anecdote connected with the sagacity of the Weasel 

 is quite pleasing to me, and will appear in my biographies of 

 quadrupeds bye and bye. I cannot, as yet, give you any esti- 

 mate of my work on the Quadrupeds of our Country but will 

 do so as soon as possible. With my best wishes, for your health 



8 See Note, Vol. II, p. 211. 



