LIFE AT CARLISLE III 
From the Journal May 14, 1844. 
Went to Mr. Holliday’s mill with Will to see some ducks said to 
be hybrids between the mallard and the canvasback. Found them 
to be hybrid but do not know after what species. The mallard 
much predominates. At 10, joined my company of militia, viz. the 
“Solid Rocks,” for parade. Marched round town several times, and 
then garrisoned, where roll being called was dismissed at half past 
twelve, till two o’clock, at which time I joined again. Was excused 
from further attendance on account of bad toothache. 
From Spencer F . Baird to William M. Baird. 
Dean Wr, CaruisLe, May 27, 1844. 
T have been waiting the arrival of the various packages of birds 
before writing to you, but as it is uncertain when they will be here 
I have concluded not to stop any longer, for fear that I may forget 
what I already have to say. Dr. Brewer left here this morning, 
having been in Carlisle since Wednesday evening. He slept at Foulk’s 
but ate his meals with us. I had gone to Mr Hays’ on Wednesday 
and staying all night, was particularly astounded on coming out of 
my bedroom on Thursday morning, to see him just entering the door 
with Tom & Will Blaney. He had got a carriage from Hilton & came 
after me. Mr. Hays received him very kindly & after breakfast 
there, & getting a Red head woodpecker & Jay’s eggs, we rode over 
to Wagoner’s gap. There we got a lot of Cliff Swallows eggs with 
some Barn ditto. On Friday—We went down the spring & over 
to Tempe, getting Rough Wing Swallows eggs, Indigo Bird, & Chip- 
ping Sparrows; also on Saturday we went down to Sam Miller’s 
where we got Red head Woodpecker, Dove, Robin, Blue Bird, Field 
Sparrow & Larks eggs & some imperfect Field plover, the young 
having just come out. This last lays an immense egg, being nearly 
allied to the Willit in this respect. From Miller’s we went over 
to Middlesex, where we got several Rough-Wing Swallow’s nests, 16 
eggs. We had a great deal to talk about, & wished that you were here. 
I think he was pleased with his visit, we all liked him very much. 
3 Dr. Thomas Mayo Brewer (1814-1880), the odlogist, of Boston, 
for many years afterward an intimate friend and associate in scientific 
work, 
