238 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



early and most other birds of their class, raven and eagles, breed 

 at the same time. I did not get any small birds' eggs on that 

 trip. Last year I did not try so hard as usual to get eggs. I think 

 I am losing my interest for birds and eggs. I have the birds very 

 well up, but somehow the eggs come slowly. Hawks' eggs I have 

 got very well, but of owls I have only five species, and one of 

 them does not belong here Barn Owl. 



I notice what you say about exchanging. I think perhaps 

 I might have some rare sea birds' eggs which you have not, as I 

 have received some good ones from Labrador most every year, 

 but 1 have forgotten what you had on your list. If you will send 

 the numbers you want, and the numbers of your duplicates you 

 have to spare, when you have time to look through them, I would 

 like to have you do so. There are a number of the officers at 

 Frederictou who make collections and do not get many eggs of 

 some of your breeders. They always want hawks and owls such 

 as do not breed this way often. But I have been writing much 

 longer than I intended and remain, 



Very truly yours, 



Geo. a. Boakdman. 



MiLLTOWN, Nov. 17, 18G8. 

 My Dear Doctor : 



I received your welcome letter of November 6 and am always 

 glad to hear from you. The eggs came along all right, but 1 have 

 been away most of the time since I wrote you and have only 

 opened the box. I hope to get time to send the Yellow lled-polFs, 

 as 1 have a full nest. I can send them by mail. 



I did not go to New York on my last trip, so did not go by 

 you. If I go south this whiter I shall go the last of next month, 

 shall probably take my family, in which case I should not care to 

 stop. Besides, I should probably go by the Sound boats. 



We are having winter very early. The ponds are frozen so 

 hard the boys have had good skating. We have now pretty fair 

 sleighing with three to four inches of snow on the ground. White- 

 winged Crossbills are quite common about my trees and I have 

 seen a few Pine Grosbeaks. Those with Goshawks are our com- 

 mon winter birds. 



