page_0001

191

Racine July 21 - 1856

Dear "Bob" -

Your bird, the description of
which you sen, is the American Phalarope
Phalaropus Wilsonii, a rare bird and the eggs
a great prize - don't forget to save one for me
note down the date of the nest and all the
circumstances attending the nest -

I am not positive that I ever saw the
true botanic gamite here - might be a lean hawk
half Norvia, E. proxima - Sent the specimen to Holbrook
- have not heard from it -

So far as my observations go - the Garter Snakes
do not devour insects or mice but live on tadpoles
frogs, and small fish - Go now to some partly
dry Swamp hole, and you will not fail to
find E. utani - Sirtates & E Radix, industriously
engaged in capturing tadpoles - with heads
immersed in the mud and water the wiggle
about until they feel a frog or tadpole, then they
elevate the head an Swallow it immediately