278 TPIE NATURALIST OF THR vST. CROIX 



In describing Lagopus albus (Gm.), And., Cones 

 edition of Stearnes' New England Bird Life, II., 145, 

 says: "Mr. G. A. Boardnian, Calais, Maine, to whom 

 we wrote for information, assures us that he has been 

 unable to satisfy himself that the Ptarmigan has ever 

 been known to occur in New England. With this 

 explanation, which we trust will not leave us liable to the 

 charge of improperly augmenting our list of New Eng- 

 lang birds and calling special attention to the insufficienc}^ 

 of the accredited records, we introduce the species 

 hypothetically . " 



When writing upon the Duck Hawk in 18G6, Mr. 

 Elliot writes Mr. Boardraan May 24 of that year: " I 

 wish to obtain some reliable facts in regard to its mode 

 of nesting. Have you ever observed its nest placed in 

 trees or does it always have them on some cliff ? I 

 believe you have taken the eggs and can give me the 

 information I require." 



In September, 18GG, Mr. Elliot, with a party of friends 

 including Mr. Newbold, a brother-in-law of Mr. Geo. N. 

 Eawrence and Mr. W. J. Hays, came down to Nova 

 Scotia on a shooting expedition for moose at which time 

 he had hoped to visit Mr. Boardman at Calais. But the 

 party went direct to Halifax from Boston by steamer, 

 returning the same way, so that Mr. Elliot never saw 

 Mr. Boardman's collection. Mr, Boardman made all the 

 arrangements for his friend on this trip, and in a letter of 

 October 8 Mr. Elliot writes : ' ' We have been most kindly 

 received by both Mr. Whitney and Mr. McFarlane and 

 everything was done to make us comfortable. I feel 

 that we are much indebted to 5^ou for your assist5(ince in 

 making our trip pleasant and successful. We had v^ery 



