254 THE NATURAIvIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



rather lengthily, as I have lots of notes taken during my stay 

 there and I don't think much is known of the birds of those parts. 



I have had a lot of things sent me lately from different parts, 

 but nothing that you w^ould care for. How would it do if, when 

 sending a box to you, I included some things for Krider, for I have 

 not enough in large things to make it worth while to send direct? 

 I am saving some rare Texas skins for him that he asked me for, 

 Milvulus forficatus, Melanospeza Lincolnii, etc., etc. I must now 

 close up as my time is growing short. I remain, Dear Boardman, 

 Yours sincerely, 



H. E. Dresser. 



P. S. I had another long letter from Heermann last week. 



London, 29 August, 1867. 

 My Dear Boardman: 



I received your kind letter of the 8th August all right by last 

 mail and am much obliged by the information respecting the 

 expresses from Galveston. Unfortunately (as I see from a letter 

 just received) my man in Texas did not get up to the place where 

 the Swallow-tailed Hawk breeds, owing to continued rains and 

 consequent floods and he has therefoi*e not done much for me. 

 He promises faithfully to be there earlier next season so I must 

 live in hope of getting these eggs then. I have heard nothing of 

 the Glentill yet but have written to the owners to hear where she 

 is and arrange about getting the box sent on to me. 



I know well who Dr. Leith Adams is that you write about 

 and have seen some of his writings but don't know him person- 

 ally. He is a great friend of Dr. Bree, through whom I have 

 heard of him. I don't know what sort of a collector he is but do 

 not think he has ever done much and don't think he knows much 

 about American birds. I am glad I can oblige Dr. Brewer in the 

 way of stamps and will pick up all I can for him and can often pick 

 up rare ones. Some of the English ones he asks for will be hard 

 to get but others I will send. Whenever I write you I will enclose 

 what I can and he can send you eggs in return for them if he likes. 

 To me stamps have no value whatever for the soft place in my 

 head runs only on birds and eggs and I have often hard work to 

 prevent my spending too much time over them. I should be very 

 glad indeed to see bis work on American Oology for such works 



