RK-059

April 7, 1855 [stamp] Smithsonian Institution Washington D.C. My Dear Robert I was glad to learn by your letter of March 26 as also from one written by Dr Hoy that you had been to Racine and had had the benefit of a little training from the Doctor. He and his wife are first rate people and everyway worthy of acquaintance. The Doctor is the best Naturalist in the west probably, after Dr. Kirtland and is really a remarkable man Your principle about not felling after new species is the right one! It is better to complete the history of old ones, than to have dozens of isolated new ones about which you can only say they exist and no more. Nuttals Ornithology (Second edition of the Land Birds) is the best manual you can have, but very difficult to procure. I doubt whether it can be bought. I am glad you have made a beginning in the way of small quadrupeds. By your aid and that of other eager students of nature. I hope within a year to complete what will serve as a monograph of North American mammals. I have already made out nearly

thirty new species! Collect every mothers son you can, and we shall then know the limits of variation Dr. Hoys species may come to you any time. Look out for the Mus Michiganenses of Aud. & Bach. This is light grayish brown above, somewhat like the house mouse: the cheeks yellowish: under parts yellowish without a distinct line of demarcation for the back. the color of the back [illegible] is said to extend far down on the side. The feet are not conspicuously white. Length of body 4 inches: of tail 2 1/2. Ears smaller & more hairy than in M. leucopus A specimen of this was caught many years ago from south eastern Michigan. Wayne Co. probably, and not since obtained. Have you "gophers" near you? On your expedition you will have a chance to get some good things. By the way, let me know what you want in the way of collecting apparatus. I have forgotten what I sent before. You have a net, have you not? You want an alcohol trunk or chest: coffee can &c. I have no special [illegible]

to make of bird desiderata, as I presume we already possess most of those in your neighborhood. I would rather have more quadrupeds instead! Dont forget the eggs, however. I would like a brown crane or two one of these days if you can get [illegible] conveniently. The gray gopher of Wisconsin is Franklins Spermophile: not Parrys, the latter is confined to the high Northern latitudes. As to the booming of the Prairie hens, I must frankly confess I know nothing about them! [illegible] I have always "guessed" the noise to be produced by striking together of the bladders. Send any of the reptiles you can collect conveniently: the little Hyla triseriata, Salamandra lurida, the green and other snakes. What the one may be to which you refer as sent to Dr. Holbrook may be I dont know; very possibly the Regina liberis They differ very much in [illegible] & with age

You might send what skins you have collected by the end of April. The Mergansers were breeding in the holes in and out of what you saw them fly. Probably Merganser castor, Meyers Meganser You shall have the books you want in a day or two. Tell your father I have been reading the "Musikle Eppick" in the last number of Prairie Farmer, with great satisfaction, and have carried it in my pocket for a week, for the benefit of appreciative friends Yours truly S.F. Baird Robt Kennicott Ill