676 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts , and Letters. 
Brewer and Kumlien were made acquainted with each other 
through Mr. Charles Holt (20) of the Janesville Gazette, early in 
1851. Brewer wrote, March 31, 1851, that Mr. Holt had informed 
him that Kumlien could help him to illustrate the eggs of North 
American birds. To his offer to pay for the eggs, Kumlien said 
he would have collected them without pay if he could afford the 
time. He knew no “rule by which to measure the value’\ As 
to the time required, “one may not find desirable eggs in days, 
and again find many in a few hours.” He left the matter of the 
value to Brewer. This was the system he ever followed with all 
his customers, for all his collecting. Brewer also wanted birds’ 
nests. He had no place then to accommodate skins, but Kumlien 
could send them to him and he would sell them for him. This 
was the custom for many years afterward. 
Kumlien had written Brewer for books on quadrupeds and 
botany, and about glass eyes. In reply, after writing a long 
letter detailing the bird skins, eggs, and nests he would like to 
obtain if it could be, ‘ ‘ without it interfering with your other 
duties”, he concludes: 
‘‘With regard to the books you ask about, there is no book on our 
quadrupeds that conies at a low price. Audubon is to be $30.00, and is 
not yet finished. There was one published some time ago, but it is out 
of print. I believe it was Goodman’s and that cost considerable. Gray’s 
Manual of Botany, a friend tells me, is the best book on botany. It costs 
somewhere between one and two dollars. I think I can get one for less 
than the bookstore prices at a second hand store, which I will as soon as 
I can, and send you by mail. A friend of mine wishes me to ask you 
Whether you would like to exchange dried plants of New England for those 
of Wisconsin. He will send them to you if you do wish for them, for 
specimens of your neighborhood. Glass eyes cannot be readily procured 
here. Some time since I had to purchase a few from a friend in New 
York, but I do not remember the price. I am very glad to learn that you 
like my paper, and be assured I am happy to continue it. Let me hear 
from you soon. Write me whether you think you can procure any of the 
skins for Mr. Lawrence.” 
Brewer wrote, August 2, 1854, of the election of Kumlien as 
corresponding member of the Boston Natural History Society, 
saying he had mentioned before the meetings on several occasions 
his good work, and 
“facts of interest I had derived from you, and our secretary Dr. Ab¬ 
bott asked me one day why I did not propose your name as a correspond¬ 
ing member. I assented, and he nominated you at the next council meet¬ 
ing.” 
