RK-177

New York 9^th, Augt 1856

Mr. R. Kennicott

D. Sir

Your favor of the 3^d. is to hand, I am very much obliged for your very liberal offer to furnish me with Bird's Eggs, but as I have never undertaken to make a collection will not deprive you of them this time, if I should conclude to make them a study at any future period, will gladly avail of your kindness -

I did not ^know the eggs of Phal. Wilsonii had ever been obtained, they must be very rare & beautiful too I should think - My friend Dr. Brewer considers the eggs of great importance - in determining species, but my business occupies me so constantly, I cannot devote as much ^time as I would like

to even one branch of Nat. History. I have no doubt the forth coming work of D. Brewer will be a very creditable one, he shewed me the drawings two or three years since which were very beautiful -

Is it Lamins Lordovicinus or L. excubiteroides that is found with you, they are distinguished by the rump being whitish in the latter, the former I think does not come farther north on the Atlantic coast than Carolina -

I have not rec'^d the Vol. of Trans". if directed to the Lyceum I will not get ^it till we meet in Sep. which will be in good time - if not sent, direct to me at N.Y. & I will get it, as I have a box at the P. Office.

Prof. Baird is now I suppose on the coast of N.J. at Egg. Harbor,

as he wrote me he should spend part of July & August there. Will it do for me to write to D. Hoy to ascertain if any of the birds I wish from his region, can be obtained in exchange? Any thing I can do for you here, will be attented to with pleasure -

Yours truly Geo. N Lawrence

Augt. 16^th.

Richfield Springs Otsego Co. N.Y. I wrote the above just before leaving N.Y. for this place, but upon reconsidering the matter, I concluded to bring the letter with me, & write a P.S. accepting your offer if not too late when you receive this, which has been unavoidably delayed. My reason for changing my mind is, that as no one has a collection of Eggs in N.Y. that I am aware of, it seems important that one should be

commenced & the very desirable specimens you offer, would make an excellent nucleus. I can no doubt obtain many kinds from Prof. B & D^r. Brewer. - There is no hurry about forwarding them, as any time during the fall will answer & as I notice your letter is Post marked "Chicago" conclude you are not far from that place, if so, any of the Druggists there will bring them for me, when they come down, which is frequently - this mode I think will insure their coming safely -

Miss J. H. Reed & Co., Sears, Smith & Co., F. Scammon & Co. &c. are regular customers of mine. Please excuse my not having been more prompt to reply, & if too late, give yourself no trouble about it & as to taking any from your cabinet that cannot readily be replaced, I do not wish you to do so. If there are any birds you wish from this section, let me know & I will see what I can do for you - G. N. L. -