318 Deane, Letters of J. J. Audubon and S. F. Baird. [j^ 



an old acquaintance of mine from Maryland, seems to be extending 

 its breeding range to this latitude. While I never saw it here, I 

 was surprised to see a mounted specimen, a male, in the small 

 collection of the keeper at the rifle range, just without the city limits. 

 Upon inquiry he stated to me, that he had seen three or four of 

 these birds near the range during the summer of 1904, of which 

 he shot and mounted the one in question. In the summer of 1906 

 he saw about ten of them frequenting the same place. It is 

 to be hoped that they return in greater numbers and stay. 



UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF JOHN JAMES AUDU- 

 BON AND SPENCER F. BAIRD. 



BY RUTHVEN DEANE. 1 

 II. 



Baird to Audubon. 



Carlisle, June 20th, 1840. 

 Dear Sir 



I was not less surprised than delighted at receiving your kind 

 answer to my letter, for I felt like one who has done an act for 

 which he does not know whether he is to be praised or blamed. 

 I am very glad to hear that you purpose publishing a work on the 

 Quadrupeds of our country, which no one is more capable of doing 

 than yourself. Dr. Godman's work though very good as far as it 

 goes yet is inferior in respect to minute and accurate distinction of 

 species, as well as in being complete. May I take the liberty of 

 asking the plan of your work, the size, expense &c. If you could 



1 Since the publication of the first series of these letters (Auk, Vol. XXIII, No. 2, 

 April, 1906) I have received a number of additional ones. For the privilege of 

 making copies and publishing them I am under many obligations to Miss M. E. 

 Audubon. 



