102 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
times as large as the largest we have about here and in bunches of 
from three to six. Persimmons also in the greatest Profusion. On 
Wednesday morning last Alick & I went over to Bloomfield to Mr. 
M’Intyre’s. Reached there at 5, P.M. At 8 that evening, went 
out Coon hunting with Sam Creigh, a son of old Dr. C., with several 
other persons. We treed a coon, but on cutting down the tree, the 
animal was gone. The tree was a large oak 24 feet in diameter, and 
they supposed it had got crushed under it some how. We got home 
at 1 o’clock, got up at 6. A. M. of Thursday and, after breakfast, 
went out after Pheasants, but as is always the case, there were none 
where they had been abundant only a few days before. We heard 
a few fly but got no chance at them. Went out again after dinner 
with an old Pheasant shooter and his dog, but met with no better 
success. Came home at 53% and at 6% went out coon hunting again 
with the same party. We walked about 15 miles over about the 
roughest country I ever saw, miles of Laurel bushes, rocks, precipices 
&c. and caught— a Rabbit! got back at 2. and got up at 6. again and 
at 8 Started for home by Landisburg— Stopping at Wagner’s Gap 
to gather Chestnuts, which are in greater abundance than I ever 
saw them before. Gathered 5 quarts in a short time, and saw three 
large flocks of Pigeons about 100in each, flying through the Chestnuts, 
probably after the fruit. It was too late however to stop to shoot 
them: So we came home, going from the Carlisle side of Wagner’s 
Gap to the Bridge over the creek in 55 minutes & to town in 85. 
This is all the news I know of. Uncle Penrose Started off with the 
rest at 7 o'clock this morning.2° Write soon & let me know about 
your journey home. 
Yours affectionately, 
SPENCER F. Bairp. 
About this time Baird spent much time preparing 
“blue print” photographs of leaves with bichromate of 
potash. By this time the collection of birds made by 
the brothers had become somewhat noted among the 
people of the region, and was frequently shown to 
strangers as one of the local attractions. 
30 For Washington. 
