264 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



We kept this individual alive for some days, feeding it on 

 raw meat, pieces of chicken, and now and then a bird. It was 

 voracious, and very spiteful, growling, snarling and spitting 

 when approached, but did not appear to suffer much uneasi- 

 ness from being held in captivity, as, like many other preda- 

 cious quadrupeds it grew fat, being better supplied with food 

 than when it had been obliged to cater for itself in the woods. 



Baird also tried to secure for Audubon the "far- 

 famed catamount" alive, which, from stories related by 

 hunters, he thought might be different from the young 

 of the panther or puma, and also a specimen of the true 

 black fox in the flesh; though unsuccessful in either 

 quest, his efficient aid was greatly appreciated by his 

 friend. In February, 1845, Baird paid a visit to the 

 Audubons at their Hudson River home, where he was 

 warmly received; as his biographer relates, 5 upon leav- 

 ing he was invited to select any duplicate bird skins he 

 desired from the naturalist's collection, then at John G. 

 Bell's taxidermist shop in New York; he accepted this 

 generous offer, and chose about forty specimens. 



It is evident that some trouble-maker had disturbed 

 the serenity of John Bachman's mind when the follow- 

 ing interesting letter was written by Audubon to balm 

 the feelings of his old friend. It is evident that Audubon 

 at this time expected to collaborate in the letterpress of 

 their work, but that plan, according to Bachman's own 

 statement, was never carried out: 



Audubon to John Bachman 

 MY DEAB, FRIEND [MINNIE'S LAND] Jan. 8, 1845. 



Never have I been so much astonished as I have been at read- 

 ing your letter to Victor, and to which I feel myself bound to 

 answer at once. 



8 William H. Dall, Spencer Fullerton Baird, a Biography (Bibl. No. 

 52), p. 121. 



