CORRESPONDENCE 181 



an inch longer than usual. The boys reported a crow hav- 

 ing quite a musical note — nothing like the old-fashioned 

 croak — but a neat trumpet sound. After getting it I 

 concluded the different note was caused by its beak in 

 some way being of such an odd length. I have him now, 

 mounted." July 27: "I found a queer looking eel at 

 a fisherman's at Calais a short time ago, caught in the 

 river near the ledge. Not having any good reference 

 book on fish I do not know its name or if it is worth send- 

 ing to you. It may be what is called the American 

 Conger Eel, Auguilla oceanica, De Kay. It has a queer 

 head and in color is very prettily spotted ; colors very 

 bright and yellowish ; size about the same as the com- 

 mon eel. I put it in alcohol and will send it if you can- 

 not make it out from what I have said. It may be com- 

 mon but I have never happened to see one like it." 

 August 11 : " For the last two weeks the river and bay 

 have been full of little Gulls. I have had lots of them 

 killed but not one is Sabine ; perhaps they do not come 

 along so early in the season. I will have some of my 

 gunners looking after the Ross Gull this winter." 



" I have been at work in bad weather this winter," 

 Mr. Boardman writes on January 22, 1879, " in the bird 

 house — the first real clearing out for several years. I 

 sent your big box away and put up parts of it so long 

 ago I hardly know what is in the smaller boxes in it — 

 but they are bird skins, eggs, etc. Have Mr. Ridgway 

 examine the large white Goose that was shot flying with 

 Canada Geese at Mace's bay near Point Eepreaux. 

 I heard about it and sent to St. John for the bird, think- 

 ing it must be an albino, but conclude it must be a 

 tame white goose that went away with the wild birds. 



