Vol l906' 111 ] Deane > Letters of J. J. Audvhon and S. F. Baird. 205 



Audubon to Baird. 



New York, December 25, 1840. 

 My dear sir, 



On my return yesterday from a tour of a month, I found your 

 kind favor of the 10th inst. at my house. I regret exceedingly that 

 you and I should not have met at Philadelphia, as I feel sure by the 

 style and contents of your letters to me that you are fond of the 

 study of natural objects, as much as I am. 



I have no doubt that your journey during the last summer and 

 autumn was a pleasing one to you, as I can well conceive from the 

 fresh recollections of my many rambles. 



You would oblige me much by sending me (through Mr. Cheva- 

 lier) the Muscicapa you obtained Oct. 12th, and also the small 

 woodpecker "with the very broad bill" I am anxious to see those 

 birds, and will take especial care of them, and also return them to 

 you, free of all expense. 



I cannot at this moment return to the specimens you have already 

 sent me, but in my next letter, I will assure you of the names of the 

 subjects. I wish I could see your Bay Lynx, as I feel somewhat 

 confident that we have more than two species within our limits. 



Your anecdote connected with the sagacity of the Weasel 1 is 

 quite pleasing to me, and will appear in my biographies of quad- 

 rupeds bye and bye. I cannot, as yet, give you any estimate of my 

 work on the Quadrupeds of our Country but will do so as soon as 

 possible. With my best wishes, for your health and prosperity, 

 I pray you to consider me as your friend and obt. servent, 



John J. Audubon. 



Baird to Audubon. 



Carlisle, June 21, 1841. 

 Dear Sir 



The spring having finally passed by and the migratory birds 

 with it, I take the occassion to let you know the result of the labors 

 of my brother and myself this season. As a general thing birds 



1 Reference to his work shows that the anecdote was not included in the biography 

 of the Weasel. 



