THE LOON. 53 



.67x.49. They were collected in De Kalb Co., Indiana 

 May 21st, 1889. T. S. 



A LETTER 



From a Boston Taxidermist. 



Editor of the Loon: — Two copies of your magazine 

 having wafted this way I cannot restrain the impulse to 

 drop you a line. Why you should have selected the 

 name you have is I presume one of those things that no 

 fellow can find out? Nevertheless you might have look- 

 ed further and have done worse. Those who have rested 

 by the side of the .placid waters of our Lakes, or have 

 watched the rise and fall of the tide -waters of our Coast, 

 becoming oblivious to all but the silvery light of Nights 

 Queen, as it dances on the waters, and have been sud- 

 denly aroused by the loud weird cry of the Loon, can 

 perhaps guess at the inspiration. In looking into my 

 cabinets 1 find no skin demands more room than the 

 Loon; as I glance over the sets of eggs my 'attention is 

 arrested by the large, rich brown ones marked "Loon.'' 

 I can scarcely find a shelf in my place that will hold that 

 large beautiful bird stuffed, with its green-black velvety 

 head and neck stretched to its utmost, its wings extend- 

 ed, showing those exquisitely marked under coverts, in 



