CORRESPONDENCE 271 



same as Fuligula rufina. I have no names of European 

 birds but thought it might be the same duck as the one 

 I sent the young of, got at the market in New York, 

 which you thought the first one ever taken in North 

 America. If it is the same the Greenland bird is ahead 

 of it." 



These several extracts are a good indication of Mr. 

 Boardman's accurate habits of observation in the slight 

 differences of the markings of birds, and his desire for 

 exact statement of facts regarding species. 



Letters from Mr. Ridgway to Mr. Boardman 



"Washington, D. C, June 23, 1881. 

 Deau Mr. Boardman: 



The box arrived to-day and I derived much pleasure from an 

 inspection of its contents, which were in good condition — the 

 tail of the hawk a little mussed, however. The hawk proves to 

 be what I suspected — the Short-tailed Buzzard — Butes brachyurus ; 

 and unless it should prove true (as has been held by some authors) 

 that it is identical with the small black hawk called B. fuliguiosus, 

 or B. cabanisi, a specimen of which was obtained last winter at 

 Oyster Bay, Fla., is an addition to the fauna. Perhaps the other 

 hawk you saw may be the same bird in another state of plumage. 

 Will you kindly send me particulars as to time and place of cap- 

 ture? I will have the owl put in good shape for Mrs. Baird. It 

 is a fine specimen and will no doubt please her very much. 



As soon as I can spare the time I will investigate the hawk 

 question and let you know the result. With many thanks for 

 sending the specimens, I am 



Yours very sincerely, 



Kobert Ridgway. 



Washington, March 5, 1883. 

 Dear Mr. Boardman : 



Your kind favor of the 2(ith ult. reached me a day or two ago. 

 It certainly is true that the Black Vulture is not common in 



