CORRESPONDENCE 273 



hesitate to describe a new race on the strength of the one speci- 

 men. I would say, however, that should the differences men- 

 tioned prove constant they would be sufficient to warrant the 

 separation of the Florida bird. 



Very truly yours, 



Robert Ridgway, 

 Curator, Dept. Birds. 

 P. S. I will keep the specimen for a few days, or until I can 

 find time to prepare some notes on it. R. R. 



Washington, Jan. 23, 1885. 

 Dear Mr. Boardman: 



I have been so busy since my return from New York that 

 this is my first opportunity of answering your letter of the 8th 

 inst. The Western Grebe (Podiceps occidentalis) breeds very 

 abundant at Shoal Lake, Manitoba, from whence we have numer- 

 ous eggs. In fact, it breeds throughout the western country in 

 suitable localities, quite to the Pacific coast and east to the east- 

 ern border of the Great Plains. Captain Bendire is stationed at 

 Fort Custer, Montana, and is thoroughly disgusted with the place 

 as a locality for collecting. Zeledon is here, and sends you his 

 best regards. Henshaw has returned, bringing with him about 

 eight hundred birds, among them two fine adult California Con- 

 dors, the largest weighing twenty-three pounds and spreading over 

 nine feet. Turner is busy writing up his notes. He got nothing 

 new except the nest and eggs of Pine Grosbeak. One curiosity 

 which he got in the way of nest and eggs was au old Robin's nest 

 in which a Red-poll had built its nest and in which a White- 

 crowned Sparrow laid its eggs ! He found the nest himself, so 

 there can be no " trick " about it. 



Very truly yours, 



Robert Ridgway. 



Letters from Mr. Boardman to Mr. Ridgway 



Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 24, 1880. 

 Dear Ridgway: 



I have just arrived here and find your letter of December 16. 

 I left home nearly five weeks ago and have been all the time on 



