iSSS.] S fencer FtiUcrion Baird. \'l 



Wilson, and Nuttall, and Bonaparte, but these he knew were all 

 dead. The profound impression produced by the letter and 

 the hope that it gave, may be imagined. Fi^om this commence- 

 ment arose a correspondence which to the present writer was a 

 constant source of delight and instruction, and to which he 

 looks back with feelings that cannot be expressed. It was 

 not until the early part of 1S67, nearly three years later, that 

 the writer obtained a copy of the text of 'Birds of North America' 

 (Volume IX, Pacific R. R. Report), and it therefore became 

 necessary for him to continue the sending of drawings and de- 

 scriptions in order to obtain the much desired identifications. 

 In replying to the writer's numerous letters of this character. 

 Professor Baird always wrote most kindly and encouragingly, 

 replying to multitudinous queries as fully as the arduous duties 

 of his official position would allow. To mention all the useful 

 hints which he gave would require too much space here, but the 

 following are selected as samples : 



"I would advise you to spend most of your leisure time in 

 practising drawing of birds and mammals from nature and from 

 life, so as to acquire a facility in seizing a temporary attitude 

 and transferring it to paper. Make these sketches continually 

 whenever you have the opportunity, so as to secure the more 

 practice. A certain number of these drawings you may work 

 up in their minutest details, and it will be a good exercise to 

 draw the feathers of a single wing, as well as bill, feet, etc., 

 and skulls of mammals. The object should be in draw'ing form 

 to secure artistic elegance and at the same time a minute, almost 

 microscopic, accuracy in matters of detail, as far as they can be 

 represented. 



"The drawings you have sent are too fragmentary to show 

 what your present abilities as an artist are, and I would rather 

 see some full-sized figures . . . ." 



"It will not be necessary to spend much time in practising 

 coloring, as this is rather a mechanical work, easily acquired by 

 practice. The first object should be to obtain the highest perfec- 

 tion in drawing the form and in filling out minute details." 

 (From a letter dated December 24, 1S65.) 



In a letter dated January 13, 1867, he gave this valuable advice 

 as to writing field-notes : " Let me give you one hint in regard 

 to making notes on the specimens. Never xcritc 011 loth sides 



