REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 61 



Eastern Striped Spermophile. Spermophilus tridecim-lineatus (skin.) 



White-footed Mouse, Hesperomys leucopus, skin. 



Muskrat, Fiber zibethicus, 3 skins. 



Sage Cock, Centrocercus urophasianus, 2 skeletons. 



Marsh Harrier, Circus hudsonius, skeleton. 



Blue- winged Teal, Querquedula discors, skeleton. 



Shoveller Duck, Spatula clypeata, skeleton. 



Blue-headed Grackle, Scolecophagus cyanocephalus, skeleton. 



Cliff Swallow, Petrochelidon lunifrons, 2 skeletons. 



Red Thrasher, Harporhynchus rufus, 2 skeletons. 



Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys, 3 skeletons. 



Shore Lark, Eremophila alpestris, skeleton. 



Lark Finch, Chondesies yrammacus, skeleton. 



Western Mourning Dove, Zenaidura macroura, skeleton. 



Mountain Plover, JEgialitis montana, skeleton. 



As the result of the second expedition quite a large collection of skins, 

 skeletons, and skulls of buffalo, deer, antelopes, wolves, and sma'ler 

 animals was received.* The collection included the following species: 

 Bison americanus. Cams latrans, Antilocapra americana, Cariaeus macro- 

 tis, C. virginianus, Vulpes velox, and Taxidea americana. 



One of the buffaloes, an old bull, the most conspicuous of the 

 group now being mounted by Mr. Hornaday for exhibition in the Mu- 

 seum, has attracted considerable attention. This specimen was ex- 

 amined by several gentlemen who from familiarity with the animal in 

 its native condition were competent to express an opinion as to the ac- 

 curacy of the taxidermist's work. Among the gentlemen who examined 

 it were General Stewart Van Vliet, of the U. S. Army, and Col. 

 James Stevenson, of the Bureau of Ethnology. Both of these gentle- 

 men expressed their opinion in writing, and copies of their letters are 

 herewith given : 



Washington, D. C, March 10, 1887. 



My Dear Professor Baird : On the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant I saw 

 General Sheridan, and yesterday we called on your taxidermist and examined the 

 buffalo hull he is setting up for the Museum. I don't think I have ever seen a more 

 splendid specimen in my life. General Sheridan and I have seen millions of the 

 buffalo on the plains in former times. I have killed hundreds, but I never killed a 

 larger specimen than the one in the possession of your taxidermist. 



General Sheridan thought the animal was too tall, but the taxidermist showed us, 

 in his note-book, the measurements he made of the animal when he shot him, and 

 they agreed with the stuffed animal. I thought that the left hind leg might be 

 brought forward 6 inches. This would make the animal look a little shorter, but I 

 doubt if I would do even this. It is a magnificent specimen as it is, and perfectly 

 natural. You will have this consolation, anyhow, even if the animal is exaggerated — 

 which he is not — and that is, not one in ten thousand who looks at him ever has or 

 ever will see a live buffalo. 

 Yours, sincerely, 



Stewart Van Vliet, 

 Brevet Major-General U. S. Army. 



Prof. Spencer F. Baird, 



Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 



* Accession 18617. 



