168 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



out of the water. We had a delightful excursion and returned 

 yesterday in good condition. 



Please let rue know the amount that you advanced to French 

 for the Grand Lake Stream expedition. This, I presume, cost 

 considerably more than the first estimate ; probably somewhere 

 from twenty to thirty dollars. Of course this is a matter of no 

 consequence, and I only ask that I may not forget to pay you 

 when I see you. 



Mayuard made his appearance last week and went to Grand 

 Manan the next day. Cheney says that he and Herrick are col- 

 lecting a great many birds. Herrick, among others, has several 

 hundred skins of Petrels. I wish you would see Mr. Eaton again 

 and find out whether he has sold the engine of his steamer, or 

 whether she is available for my use. If he proposes to rent her 

 to me I would like to have him give me his terms in writing so as 

 to form the basis of a regular contract. 



Verrill has not yet arrived, but I expect him every day, and 

 presume that the steamer will be needed by the end of this week 

 or the beginning of next. As I understood Eaton he would fur- 

 nish the boat, with an engineer and attendant, and coal, for $10 a 

 day, and that, possibly on carefully considering the matter, he 

 might be able to put it at a somewhat lower figure. 

 Very truly yours, 



Spencer F. Baird. 



Eastport, Aug. 29, 1872. 

 My Dear Mr. Boardman : 



I went over to Grand Manan last Friday, and spending the 

 night with Cheney, started Saturday morning for McLaughlin's, 

 where we remained till yesterday morning. The object of my 

 excursion was especially to talk with McLaughlin about herring, 

 and see for myself the spawning ground. I had a very pleasant 

 visit, barring two days of fog and rain, and was accompanied by 

 quite a number of young scientifics. We did considerable dredg- 

 ing and obtained numerous curious objects. 



On my return I find your letter of the 26th with its enclosure 

 from Krider, and am much obliged to you for the opportunity of 

 knowing what he is about. I hope he will send you the egg of 

 the Solitary Sandpiper; as, if it is a genuine one, I will manage to 



