126 SPENCER FULLERTON BAIRD 
They were much impressed by the beauty and extent of 
the view from the rocks at the summit of the mountain, 
where many towns and villages were plainly visible 
twenty or thirty miles away. Returning home he had 
snapping turtle steak for supper, which Baird pronounces 
“delicious.” About this time he began receiving many 
foreign birds in exchange from Nicholas Aall of Norway, 
Jacob Sturm of Nuremburg, and others. On a visit to 
Gettysburg in connection with the printing of his list 
of birds, he found a live rattlesnake in a cage, and tested 
the popular superstition about the aversion of poisonous 
snakes for the white ash tree by stuffing a quantity of 
the leaves into the cage. But the reptile remained as 
indifferent as Pet Marjorie’s turkey. 
From John J. Audubon to S. F. Baird. 
New York, Sept. 30th 1845. 
My pear Younc Frienp,— 
I received yours of the 26th Instant last evening. I am much 
obliged to you for what your letter contains about the habits of the 
Northern Hare; but feel monstrously desirous to see in the flesh 
the farfamed Catamount! Try to procure one of these for me if 
possible, and also a silver fox if you can. 
My son John will leave this for the West and South-West, as 
far as the confines of Texas, about the last of next month, and intends 
being absent until the first of March. Would you like to go with 
him, provided you can pay your own expenses? He will take one 
of our Servant men along to help him in the procuring of Quadrupeds 
and Birds, of which he hopes to procure some, if not a good number 
of new Species. 
Victor leaves this for Ph*, Baltimore, and Washington in a few 
minutes, and you will have to excuse this short answer to your letter. 
Ever your Sincere Friend, 
Joun J. Aupugon. 
Our respects to your Ladies and friends. 
