294 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



produce these abnormal stages, which I did not suppose existed. 

 As a cabinet specimen the bird would doubtless be more valuable 

 in its present plumage than it will be if it becomes entirely white, 

 but I should consider the loss compensated for by the interest 

 you will take in observing developments. My suggestion is that 

 you have the bird photographed and spare his life a little longer 

 at any rate. It would fee interesting to observe what effect, if 

 any, would be produced by plucking the old plumage from a cer- 

 tain spot on the body — as the head — I believe that in all pure 

 albinos the skin, like the plumage, is colorless. I should sup- 

 pose that in melanotic specimens the skin would be black or at 

 least quite dark. If this was the case in your birds, does the skin 

 lose color simultaneously with the appearance of the white 

 feathers ? 



I have obtained a perfect albino myself this fall — a gray 

 wolf — which has even the nose and eyelids without color. I 

 have heard of two albino Buteo borealis. 



If I succeed in getting an adult Golden Eagle this winter I 

 will remember your want and shall be happy to exchange for 

 some of your specimens. Eagles were formerly quite plentiful 

 here but so many have been killed by hunters and sportsmen that 

 they are not often obtained now. I received one about two weeks 

 ago but in immature plumage. 



I have been wanting to secure an Everglade Kite for a long 

 time. There are a number of other Florida birds which I need 

 but this one is the most important. 



You speak of Sage Grouse — do you need any? I am think- 

 ing some of taking a trip over the " Eange " this fall and if I do I 

 expect to be able to get specimens of the Sage Grouse as well as 

 Dusky Grouse and Ptarmigan. 



Yours truly, 



Chas. E. Aiken. 



Letter from Dr. Ezekiel Holmes to Mr. Boardman 



Winthrop, Dec. 30, 1862. 

 Geo. A. Boardman, Esq. : 



My Dear Sir — Many thanks to you for your catalogue of 

 birds and also for your communication of the 23d inst. 



