104 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
to Long’s. Did not see a single bird worth shooting, of any kind. 
On Wednesday, I was out. Thursday went out with Mr. Husten, 
to dam, down creek to 1° Bottom, & home by (Le Tort) spring. 
Shot a Baldpate and fired at three female Ruddy ducks above Wise’s 
Bridge. Killed two and wounded the other, which escaped. They 
are tamer than Blue Wing teal or Butter balls, letting you walk right 
up to them. Coming up by the spring Mr. Husten Shot 5 Snipe in 
Poorhouse Meadow. He shoots snipe very well. Friday staid at 
home. Saturday went out to dam, and killed two Ring ducks at 
a shot out of a flock of 9. Shot also a Young Male Red Head. It 
was feeding in the mud along shore, Just above Black’s house. This 
morning went out but found only Butterballs on the dam. There 
were 4 or 5 flocks of from 10 to 50 each. I fired once into a flock of 
them all with their heads under their wings, asleep. I wounded three 
and got two of them. The next time I fire at Sleeping ducks I will 
make them hold out their heads. I ought to have killed six or ten 
out of the flock. I could have shot plenty more of these ducks, but 
I did not want them. Of the ducks shot I have Stuffed a Ruddy 
duck, a Ringneck and the Redhead, all in very interesting plumage, 
different all of them from the specimens we have got already. I intend 
to go out every morning if possible, to the dam, for an hour or two, 
so as to see if any thing is there worth Shooting. 
Aunt Valey in a letter to Aunt Blaney says that J. K. Townsend 
has lost his office. How did this happen if it is so? 
Mother has not yet returned. She will probably do so some time 
this week. When she comes I will be able to fix on the time of coming 
on. I think I will ride to Hagerstown and then make Washington 
in two days. I have not yet determined however; which route 
would you advise? We are all well. Write soon 
Yours Affectionately 
Sp. F. Barrp. 
From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
CaruisLe, Nov. 8"" 1843. 
Dear WILL, 
I am very much obliged to you for the waistcoat and other 
articles you sent by George Hilton. They arrived on Monday last 
and are just what | wanted. 
