U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BIOLOGICAL SURVEY 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
C. HART MERRIAM, CHIEF 
A. K. FISHER, ASSISTANT CHIEF 
T. S. PALMER, 
December 16, 1903 
Asst, in Charge Game Preservation 
F. E. L. BEAL, 
Asst, in Charge Economic Ornithology 
Dear Brewster: 
I hate to bother you again, but the manuscript I sent you is 
overdue in the Publication Division, and I find myself much embar¬ 
rassed by its absence. When I sent it I did not know that it was 
due at any particular date. If I knew the address of the young man 
who has it, I would telegraph him for it without troubling you, but 
as it is I am obliged to ask you to kindly send word to him that we 
need it at once. Surely he has had it long enough to edit the 
first few pages, which is all I wanted him to do. I am greatly 
obliged to you for your interest and trouble in the matter. 
The Plj/mpton case turned out unfortunately, inasmuch as his 
collection was not left to any museum. I am now in correspondence 
with Purdie direct, and hope that some means may be found by which 
some first-class museum can obtain the collection. I asked Purdie 
if the heirs would not be willing to donate it to the National Museum 
or some other in good standing. He replies that they are not well 
enough off, and would like to sell the collection. 
With kind regards to Mrs. Brewster, who I trust is able to be 
about, I remain, 
Very truly yours 
Mr. Wm. Brewster, 
145 Brattle Street, 
Cambridge, Mass. 
