A. AUGUSTUS HEALY, FREDERIC A. LUCAS, 
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES. CURATOR-IN-CHIEF. 
THE MUSEUM, 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, 
EASTERN PARKWAY. 
Brooklyn, N. Y._.. February..2nd.,...... 1910 
Mr. William Brewster, 
145 Brattle Street, 
Cambridge, 
Dear Mr, Brewster:+ 
I am sorry to confess that never having dissected 
ducks with the question of age in mind, I am unable to say whether 
or not it would be possible to speak positively as to their age after 
an examination of the bonese I do know, however, that in many of 
our small birds the back of the skull does not ossify so rapidly 
as the rest of it and in most cases gone can usually tell whether a 
bird is a year old or more. I confess, without some little examina- 
tion of various species, I should be disinclined to speak positively 
on the subject. I am very sorry that I cannot do'so so as to help 
out one side or the other, 
Sincerely yours, 
