162 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



anxious to learn ; and not the first bit of cake has, so far, come to 

 hand. I suppose, however, you intend to bring your trunk full of 

 it when you come. 



Is it not about time for you to tell us a little as to your plans 

 for the future, and when we may arrange for killing the fatted 

 calf for yourself and Mrs. Boardman and Willie? Tell Willie that 

 Mr. Elliot is expected back in a few days ; and he will have plenty 

 of pictures to look at, as well as be making new ones all the time. 



The report you asked for, for Mr. Pollice, has already gone to 

 him. Let me know if anybody else remains to be supplied. We 

 have sent to Dr. Todd, to Simpson, and to Connor. Who else is 

 to be remembered? 



The skulls of the South African beasts are what we now 

 want above everything else of that kind. Nothing would come 

 amiss. Entire skeletons of course are most desirable ; but single 

 skulls, with the teeth and horns as perfect as possible, including 

 the lower jaws, will be very useful to us. We have one entire 

 elephant skull, I think it is South African ; but other specimens, 

 even single teeth, will be welcome. The rhinoceros we have not 

 and want it very much. Nothing of the mammalian kind will 

 fail to be acceptable. 



Kidgway has not reached Washington, but will probably be 

 here before long. His collections are probably in our cellar, 

 although I do not distinguish any box as his, among quite a large 

 number sent in by Mr. King. 



I am glad you have the nest of the Goshawk, and hope it will 

 reach us in safety. We want to procure such large specimens, as 

 they can only be exhibited where there is an opportunity for 

 giving them ample room, which can be done in our museum. 



We have already sent you three copies of the bird catalogue, 

 printed only on one side ; but if you want more let me know. We 

 expect Dr. Brewer with Mrs. Brewer and Lucy to pay us a visit 

 soon after Thanksgiving. The Dr. expects to make some big 

 hauls in the way of eggs. I did not find much of special novelty 

 here, on my return ; very few eggs of any account, and only one 

 case of birds from Bishop, embracing nothing new, and nothing 

 very rare. Our Arctic collections, when they reach us, which 

 will be in the course of a few months, will doubtless be full of 



