174 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



Washington, D. C, Nov. 27, 1878. 

 Dear Mk. Boardman : 



Yours of the 24th is to hand. I was in hopes you would 

 hegin to say somethiug about comiug south. Will it uot be a good 

 idea for you to spend the next winter here as you did the last? 



I have a great deal to tell you about adventures and experi- 

 ences at Gloucester during the summer, and of explorations, 

 arctic and otherwise. One of the best things obtained on the 

 Banks was the skin of the great Skua Gull. We obtained all the 

 Jaegers, as also the Dusky Puttiu, etc. Send on the specimens 

 whenever you are ready, and eggs as many as you please. 



With love from all of us to yourself and Mrs. Boardman, 

 believe me. Sincerely j^ours, 



Spencer F. Baird. 



Washington, D. C, Dec, 1884. 

 Dear Mr. Boardman : 



Your letter of the 18th is to hand. Mr. Kidgway was quite 

 enthusiastic in regard to the Florida Pigeon Hawk, and is much 

 obliged to you for saying that he might place it in the Museum. 

 The next time you go, try and get some more. 



I hope Albert will be able to get one or more skins and 

 skeletons of the Trumpeter Swan; they are apparently getting 

 very scarce. 



Several white Whooping Cranes would also be very nice. 

 They could easily be sent in the flesh in the cold weather; but 

 if necessary they might be skinned and poisoned, and sent with 

 the skins green to be mounted here. 



What is the latest Fish Connnission and Smithsonian Report 

 you have received? Both volumes for 1882 have been published. 



None of Nelson's reports have appeared. 



Turner has got back from Labrador with some nice things, 

 but nothing startling. 



We are just having a very severe cold snap. The thermometer 

 was nine above zero, which we considered pretty sharp. I do 

 not think we had such cold Aveather last year. 



With warmest regards from everybody to yourself and Mrs. 

 Boardman, I remain. Sincerely yours, 



S. F. Baird. 



