158 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



would send them in order that I may satisfy myself 

 positively in regard to them, especially the spotted egg 

 and bush or tree nests. We want very much a good 

 specimen of the cinerous owl. A series of Jaegers, too, 

 would be very acceptable as Mr. Coues is now preparing 

 a monograph of this genus. A young white-wing gull, 

 too, we would like. Can't you send us some of those 

 northern eggs you speak of ? Where were they collected ? ' ' 

 November 23, 1865: "I would much like a good lot 

 of good skins of the three-toed woodpeckers ; good cross- 

 bills ; Hudson Bay tits ; Canada Jays ; Hawk and Richard- 

 son's owls ; Acadian owl ; Pine Grosbeaks ; Pine finches, 

 spruce and common partridges and the like, for our 

 exchanges. What you gave me last summer have 

 answered a capital purpose." May 20, 1868: "I am 

 glad you have the Pied duck and have got us a speci- 

 men. Don't forget that it is the only North American 

 duck not in our collection and next to Great Auk, perhaps 

 our greatest desideratum among water birds. I can't 

 ask you to send this one, but I speak for the next." 



Writing from Beverly, Mass., September 12, 1868, after 

 a visit to Mr. Boardman at Milltown, Prof. Baird says : 

 "I cannot tell you how I hated to leave with all the 

 projected trips incompleted. I don't know when I have 

 had so nice a time and shall always be grateful to you and 

 Mrs. Boardman, to say nothing of Charley and Georgie, 

 for your kind attentions." On this visit Prof. Baird had 

 become much interested in the shell heaps of the St. 

 Croix valley and the many Indian relics, which, on sub- 

 sequent visits he gave much time in excavating and 

 studying. In the same letter occurs the following : "I 

 really must have Pollice's spear if I have to get the 



