V ° 1 i907' IV ] Deane > Letters of J. J. Audubon and S. F. Baird. 63 



the account of the habits of this hare, which I obtained from him 

 and sent to you, as gospel. I have since that time discovered that 

 he occasionally invents stories about animals in lack of true bills. 

 So you may only believe what you please & think probable. He 

 says that the catamounts skin was not to be found anywhere, and 

 it seems that his black or silver foxes are cross foxes. 



My friend Charles Churchill wrote to a gentleman in Burlington 

 named Henry Loomis x who has been in the fur business, for infor- 

 mation respecting foxes. He says that it would be impossible to 

 procure one in Vermont in the flesh, but that it might be done 

 through the Quebec agents of the Hudson's bay fur Co., or in 

 Maine. It would cost a great deal however. He has paid from 

 9 to 35 dollars for skins. Mr. Thompson in his Gazetteer 2 of Ver- 

 mont speaks of those in Mr. Loomis' possession. This gentleman 

 refers to the copious accounts of the different foxes, martens &c. in 

 Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont, as well worthy of credit, as 

 he contributed many of them from personal knowledge. He 

 added one fact which Thompson has omitted, viz. with respect to 

 the Mustela Pennantii it being a source of great injury to the Pine 

 Marten Hunters. 



One has been known to follow the line of traps for miles, par- 

 tially eating the captured Martens, thereby damaging or entirely 

 destroying the skins. They have a very disagreeable odor when 

 improperly skinned, worse than that of the mink. They frequently 

 spring the Marten traps, and then eat the bait, being to cunning 

 to enter them before, so say the hunters. I have spoken and 

 written to several other persons for various information which I 

 will communicate as soon as it arrives. A friend is now in Erie 

 Co. where I hope he will learn something. With my best respects 

 to all your kind family, and congratulations to Victor 3 1 remain 

 Ever yours affectionately 



Spencer F. Baird. 



l A native of Burlington, Vt., born Aug. 31, 1818; died Dec. 18, 1886. Mr. 

 Chas. E. Allen of Burlington, Vt., writes me that Mr. Loomis was a much respected 

 citizen, entered into business before he was of age, and was an earnest and active 

 promoter of the welfare of his native town, officiating as Trustee of the University 

 of Vermont and President of the Burlington Savings Bank for thirty years. (R. D.) 



2 A Gazetteer of the State of Vermont, 1824, by Zadock Thompson, born May 23, 

 1796, died 1856. 



3 Victor GifTord Audubon. 



