VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE 
ELLISON A. SMYTH, Jr., A. M., LL. D., 
(STATE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE) HEAD OF DEPARTMENT 
HORATIO S. STAHL, M. S., 
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY INSTRUCTOR 
PAUL B. BARRINGER, M. D., LL.D., 
PUeeseee? BLACKSBURG, VA., reb.I7th.'I2 
Mr.Wm.Brewster. 
I45 Brattle St. 
Cambridge,Mass. 
Dear Sir; 
You may recall that in "The Auk",Vol.X,I893,page 36I1,I xecorded tke 
capture here,in Seet Aug.of that year,of a specimen of the Black~capped Pe- 
teel. The specimen was,I think,the 3rd. recorded for the U.S.,and is refere 
red to in Newton's Dictionary of Birds,p.709. 
I may find that it is too valuable an asset to retain shut up in my pri- 
vate collection,and while loth to part with it,would@ like to inquire whether 
you care to purchase it,and if so,what it would be worth to you,so that in the 
event of my deciding to sell it,I might communicate further with you. 
I guarantee the specimen to be an excellently prepared skin,and in first 
class condition,of which points you would judge for yourself,should the mat- 
ter proceed further. 
Yours very truly, 
Fren 
RLLISON A. SMYTH JB. 
Va, Polytechnic Inatitute; 
Blacksburg, Va. 
