54 THE LOON. 



the act of raising, marked the "Loon," and I know of no 

 bird that requires more skill to preserve it properly. I 

 have many Loons sent to me that are taken in the weirs. 

 Swimming into them they become entangled and fall an 

 easy prey to the fisherman. A few years since one drop- 

 ped into a small pond in my native city. It was a signal 

 for all the boys to collect on its banks. Locating in the 

 middle, a good rifle shot distance from shore, it stood a 

 fusilade from all the old firelocks for several days till fin- 

 ally it succumbed the verdict being " By accident." As I 

 write several sets, all two in number, varying in shades 

 and markings, but with general appearance too well 

 known to require description, I find measure as follows: 



FROM LAKE WINNIPISEOGEE, N. H. 



Set one.* Taken June 13 SS. 3.72x2.30 3.50x2.27 

 two. May 31 86. 3.78x2.27 3.41x2.25 



FROM GOODRICH, MICH. 



Set ten. Taken June 25 So. 3.66x2.26 3.57x2.27 



FROM LAKE SEBAGO ME. 



Set eleven. Taken June 18 85. 3.52x2.40 3.69x2.35 

 twelve. 18 85. 3.62x2.31 3.58x2.31 



But excuse me, my impulse was to wish you a fraternal 

 success merely. 



June 15th. 89. Boston Taxidermist 



* Sets three to nine omitted on account of printer 

 running short of figures. — Ed. 



